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Athena Stavrou, Political Reporter
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Athena Stavrou, Political Reporter
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In what has been one of the most difficult weeks of his premiership, Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at his opponents over his handling of Peter Mandelson's appointment.
The prime minister accused his critics of launching a smear campaign against him, saying they had been "completely wrong" to accuse him of misleading the House during the latest chapter of the political scandal.
It comes one week after news of the latest Mandelson vetting revelations initially emerged, which has seen crushing pressure placed on Sir Keir and his fractured Cabinet.
After Sir Olly Robbins' bombshell testimony on Tuesday, it was Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little's turn to be grilled by MPs on the issue this morning.
The senior civil servant - who had known weeks ago that Mandelson had failed vetting - told the Foreign Affairs committee due process had been followed.
She also revealed that Sir Olly, who was sacked by Sir Keir over not sharing the UKSV outcome, had refused to share information with her, forcing her to take the “very unusual” decision to request it from security officials directly.
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At PMQs, Keir Starmer looked more assured than he has for some time – but there is something almost delusional in his upbeat demeanour, says John Rentoul
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The sheer stupidity of the president’s bombastic blunder is clouding his critics’ judgement on what his coming off worse in this war would mean for the rest of us, writes Sean O’Grady
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What else you need to know
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- Reform UK has been accused of a “complete lack of respect” after a party candidate triggered a standalone by-election, expected to cost more than £20,000, for an area that will go to the polls again in just two weeks.
- Government officials scrambled to obtain information on Peter Mandelson’s security vetting last September - just days after The Independent told Downing Street he had failed the critical checks.
- The government should move towards scrapping national insurance contributions to help young people whose jobs are being wiped out as a result of artificial intelligence, Rishi Sunak has suggested.
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Will Emily Thornberry turn out to be the prime minister’s nemesis?
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John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator
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John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator
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I have written about Emily Thornberry’s revenge for being ditched by Keir Starmer when he formed his first cabinet. As chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, she is leading the charge on investigating the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
She also has the grim satisfaction of seeing Richard Hermer, appointed attorney general in her place, causing his friend the prime minister no end of problems.
Read the whole thing here.
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Readers on Starmer’s precarious position after Mandelson scandal
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Following fresh scrutiny over Keir Starmer’s handling of Peter Mandelson’s US ambassador appointment, Independent readers have been weighing in on the fragility of the prime minister’s position.
Here’s what you had to say:
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Once a football manager has completely lost the dressing room, there’s no way back.
And exactly the same principle applies to Starmer.
He is now simply clinging on.
Cyclone8
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Starmer, the man of lists and tired rhetoric. He offers no hope and ties himself in knots with scandals. He is not managing well and, as a result, Labour have lost huge influence since the election. If I were a Labour politician, I would be wanting a change for a more inspiring leader, and I daresay chancellor too.
not the dr
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‘Not ready for war’: Can Starmer protect the UK?
Since the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, the UK has stopped 39 late-stage terror plots. So why does our security look strong, while our defence appears exposed? And what, exactly, is the difference?
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‘Not ready for war’: Can Starmer protect the UK?
Since the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, the UK has stopped 39 late-stage terror plots. So why does our security look strong, while our defence appears exposed? And what, exactly, is the difference?
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