Downing Street has claimed it was unaware of Lord Matthew Doyle's past support for a paedophile when it granted him a peerage, despite a newspaper report surfacing weeks after the announcement. The revelation has triggered the suspension of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's former communications chief from Labour's parliamentary party and intensified scrutiny over the vetting process for House of Lords appointments.
Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton, a Moray councillor, in May 2017 as an Independent candidate. Morton had appeared in court in late 2016 charged with offences related to indecent images of children and later admitted to the crimes. Labour had already suspended Morton after his court appearance.
Education minister Georgia Gould told Sky News on Wednesday: «No 10 did not know before they made the decision to give him the peerage.» She added: «I think the decision, the announcement was made on December 10. I think the story was later in the month. But I think the Prime Minister has looked at this afresh, given the commitment that he has made to ensure the highest standards in public life.»
The Sunday Times reported on Lord Doyle's association with Morton in late December, weeks after the peerage was announced. Lord Doyle took his seat in the unelected chamber last month. On Tuesday, Labour withdrew the whip from him.
Government Defence
Gould defended the Prime Minister's handling of the situation. «There's an investigation going on. We'll wait for that to conclude. But the Prime Minister said on Monday night that we want to ensure the highest standards in public life. He's gone back and looked at this appointment. He's taken action to withdraw the whip,» she said.
She emphasized Starmer's commitment to child protection. «We're taking it incredibly seriously. And Keir Starmer is somebody who has spent his whole career putting people into prison, and this is his lifelong work. It is deeply important to him. And no-one is harder on themselves than the Prime Minister. But he's clear that things need to change. Vetting has to be better,» Gould stated.
A government source acknowledged there is no established mechanism to reverse such decisions. «There is no established precedent for withdrawing a peerage nomination after the announcement stage,» the source said.
Opposition Demands
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for transparency. «Keir Starmer handed a peerage to Matthew Doyle despite knowing about his ongoing friendship with a man charged with child sex crimes. The Prime Minister has now suspended the whip, but he must come clean about what he was told before making this appointment. We won't let this go,» she said. Badenoch demanded publication of all vetting advice and due diligence reports related to Lord Doyle's appointment.
Labour chairwoman Anna Turley told Sky News on Tuesday that Lord Doyle should be stripped of his peerage. Asked if he should keep it, she responded: «I don't think he should.» Turley alleged Lord Doyle had not been truthful.
The Scottish National Party formally objected to Lord Doyle's peerage.
Lord Doyle's Position
Lord Doyle has apologized unreservedly for supporting Morton. He stated he believed Morton's assertions of innocence when he campaigned for him and apologized before the case concluded. Lord Doyle said he had extremely limited contact with Morton after his conviction.
Schools minister Gould indicated Labour's investigation continues. «We'll have more to say when that's completed,» she said.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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