Starmer Confirms Discussions on Diplomatic Role for Matthew Doyle
Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that conversations occurred regarding a possible diplomatic position for his senior aide, Matthew Doyle.
Doyle, formerly the communications chief, was appointed a Labour peer after departing Downing Street in March 2025. However, he was suspended from the parliamentary party in February due to connections with a convicted sex offender.
Allegations Raised During Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing
The issue was brought up by Sir Olly Robbins during his testimony to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Robbins was dismissed by Sir Keir last week amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK ambassador to the US.
On the same day, Lord Doyle stated he had never pursued such a diplomatic role and was unaware of any discussions with the Foreign Office about securing a position for him.
Prime Minister's Response at PMQs
During Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Sir Keir was questioned by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Conservative MP Mike Wood about whether Downing Street had considered appointing Doyle to a diplomatic post.
Sir Keir told Wood: "Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service, for me as prime minister and other ministers. When people leave roles in any organisation there are often conversations about other roles they want to apply for, but nothing came of this."
Background on Lord Doyle's Suspension
Lord Doyle has previously issued an apology for his past association with Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor in Moray who pleaded guilty to indecent child image offences in 2017.
This followed a report by the Sunday Times revealing that Lord Doyle campaigned for Morton after Morton was charged in December 2016 with possessing and distributing indecent images of children.
Lord Doyle explained that his support for Morton's election campaign occurred while Morton was maintaining his innocence.
Controversy Over Sir Olly Robbins' Dismissal
The dispute over the sacking of Sir Olly Robbins, the senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, has been a dominant topic over the past week.
It was disclosed that the Foreign Office had granted Lord Mandelson security clearance for the ambassadorial role in January 2025, despite concerns raised during the vetting process.
Lord Mandelson officially assumed the position the following month but was dismissed seven months later due to his connections with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Conservative Leader Challenges Prime Minister
At PMQs, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned the prime minister extensively regarding the evidence provided by Sir Olly Robbins.
She asked whether the prime minister stood by his statement that due process was followed in Lord Mandelson's appointment, to which he replied: "Yes, I do."
She described attempts to secure a Foreign Office role for Lord Doyle as "ridiculous," adding: "He promised them [Labour MPs] probity; what he has given them is cronyism and an Old Boy's Club where Matthew Doyle is being proposed as an ambassador."
Badenoch demanded Sir Keir's resignation, asserting that Sir Olly was dismissed due to the prime minister's failures and that he "did not follow due process - yet he told the House he had."
Labour MPs responded with chants of "wrong, wrong, wrong" as Sir Keir sought to counter Badenoch's criticisms.
He said: "The leader of the opposition claimed on Friday that Mandelson could not have been cleared against security advice. She was wrong about that. She said that ministers must have been told. She was wrong about that. She claimed that there was deliberate dishonesty, she was wrong about that. Wrong, wrong, wrong."
He added: "She rushed to judgement as she always did, just like [she did with] the Iran war."
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