London, UK – Keir Starmer is reportedly facing imminent resignation after a contentious performance at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), where he is accused of misleading Parliament.

Controversy Over Mandelson Vetting

The dispute centers around Starmer’s statements concerning pressure applied during the vetting process of Peter Mandelson. Ministers believe Starmer’s recent appearance at PMQs was a critical error, potentially leading to his departure.

Misleading Quotes and Denials

The controversy arose from Starmer’s presentation of quotes attributed to Sir Olly Robbins, the former Foreign Office permanent secretary. These quotes were presented to suggest no undue influence was exerted regarding Mandelson’s appointment. However, sources have described the quotes as selective, misleading, and falsely attributed.

Departure from Agreed Messaging

Starmer further fueled the controversy by stating emphatically that ‘no pressure existed whatsoever’ in relation to the case. This statement has raised significant concerns within Downing Street. He deviated from a pre-prepared response, initially road-tested with Lib Dem MP Claire Young, which acknowledged pressure but asserted officials should have resisted it.

Anticipated Testimony and Potential Inquiry

While attention is focused on the upcoming appearance of Starmer’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, before a select committee, the primary concern revolves around the expected testimony of Sir Philip Barton, Sir Olly’s predecessor.

Pressure to Expedite Appointment

It is widely known that Sir Philip faced significant pressure to expedite Mandelson’s appointment. Reports suggest he was directly ordered to ‘just f*****g make the appointment’ by McSweeney. Downing Street officials anticipate Sir Philip will confirm the existence of substantial pressure, contradicting Starmer’s statements.

Potential 'Coup de Grace'

This anticipated contradiction is viewed as a potential ‘coup de grace’ for Starmer, leaving him with limited defense. The situation is expected to trigger a formal inquiry by the Parliament’s standards committee.

Resignation Anticipated

Ministers believe Starmer will preemptively resign rather than face a similar fate to Boris Johnson, who was brought down by the standards committee. The parallels and optics of such a situation are considered too damaging for Starmer to withstand. Many MPs witnessed the disastrous PMQs performance with growing concern, further fueling the belief that Starmer’s position is untenable.