Opening Summary
Welcome to ’s live coverage of UK politics on Saturday 18 April.
Keir Starmer is confronting what senior government figures describe as “judgment day” following failures in the vetting process concerning Peter Mandelson.
The prime minister has expressed that he was
“staggered” and “furious”about not being informed of the vetting recommendation, emphasizing that the lack of communication was unforgivable.
His administration has denied claims that the cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, and Catherine Little, the Cabinet Office’s permanent secretary, were withholding information, despite both becoming aware of the issue last month.
Next week, Starmer is expected to face a critical moment as Olly Robbins, who resigned from the Foreign Office due to the repercussions of the Mandelson vetting failures, is scheduled to appear before a powerful parliamentary committee.
Robbins is reported to be angry about his forced departure, raising concerns that his testimony could further jeopardize Starmer’s position, who is already under renewed pressure to resign.
You can read the latest report from political editor Pippa Crerar for more details.
Additional Political Developments
Green Party MP Hannah Spencer has criticised Labour for what she described as
“offensively caricaturing”working-class people by suggesting they would oppose a ban on greyhound racing in England.
The government has declined to cover more than half of the compensation claims submitted by victims of the Windrush scandal.
New research indicates that over half of British voters would opt to rejoin the European Union if a future referendum were held.
We will continue to provide updates on the Mandelson scandal and other political news throughout the day.
