Starmer’s paedophile-linked peer and former comms chief quits Labour Party | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer’s former communications chief Lord Matthew Doyle has apologised for his previous affiliation with a paedophile councillor and stated he won’t be taking the Labour whip.

Lord Doyle, who was made a peer earlier this yr, campaigned for Sean Morton when he ran as an Independent in May 2017. In January that yr Mr Morton had appeared in courtroom charged in reference to indecent baby pictures.

Lord Doyle stated: “I want to apologise for my past association with Sean Morton. His offences were vile and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightly convicted. My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by these crimes.

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“At the purpose of my campaigning help, Morton repeatedly asserted to all those that knew him his innocence, together with initially in courtroom. He later modified his plea in courtroom to responsible.

“To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgment for which I apologise unreservedly.”

The growth comes as a blow to Starmer only a day after his authorities was rocked by the departure of a second key aide, and a public demand for the PM’s resignation from Labour’s personal chief in Scotland.

Lord Doyle labored for Keir Starmer in opposition and entered Downing Street with him in 2024. He entered the House of Lords final month, weeks after his hyperlinks with Morton had been reported.

Last week Kemi Badenoch, the Tory chief, wrote to Sir Keir calling on him to publish ‘vetting recommendation and due diligence’ obtained forward of Mr Doyle being handed a peerage. Sir Keir additionally confronted questions in regards to the appointment at a gathering of Labour MPs on Monday night time.

Despite not taking the Labour whip, Lord Doyle will stay a peer. Currently friends can retire from the House of Lords however can’t be eliminated, though Sir Keir mentioned plans to vary that course of within the wake of the Mandelson scandal.

On Monday the PM was additionally hit by the resignation of one other Downing Street director of communications Tim Allan, lower than 24 hours after chief of employees Morgan McSweeney resigned, as Labour tries to climate the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.

Mr McSweeney stepped down on Sunday over his recommendation to nominate Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States regardless of Mr Mandelson’s earlier affiliation with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In an announcement Lord Doyle added: “Those of us who took him at his word were clearly mistaken.

“I’ve by no means sought to dismiss or diminish the seriousness of the offences for which he was rightly convicted. They are clearly abhorrent and I’ve by no means questioned his conviction.

“Following his conviction any contact was extremely limited and I have not seen or spoken to him in years. Twice I was at events organised by other people, which he attended, and once I saw him to check on his welfare after concerns were raised through others.

“I acted to attempt to make sure the welfare of a troubled particular person while absolutely condemning the crimes for which he has been convicted and being clear that my ideas are with the victims of his crimes.

“I am sorry about the mistakes I have made. I will not be taking the Labour whip.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me conclude the place I began. Morton’s crimes had been vile and my solely considerations are for his victims.”

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