Sir Keir Starmer has given a peerage to an aide who supported a paedophile. Matthew Doyle was the Downing Street’s director of communications till leaving the function March. He was included within the record of nominations for the House of Lords launched earlier this month, and now it has emerged that the previous spin physician stood by a paedophile former Labour councillor in Moray, Scotland.
Sean Morton retained Doyle’s assist after he was charged with possessing and distributing indecent photographs of youngsters in December 2016. After being instantly suspended by Labour, Morton was later convicted in December 2017 of getting been in possession of a number of photos of bare women as younger as 10-years-old.
Despite the fees, Doyle knocked on doorways for Morton throughout an election marketing campaign as an unbiased for the the Fochabers Lhanbryde ward in May 2017, and was pictured carrying a T-shirt with the slogan “Re-elect Sean Morton” on it.
He additionally attended a vote rely with Morton.
A No. 10 spokeswoman instructed The Times: “Questions regarding Matthew Doyle’s past acquaintance with Sean Morton were thoroughly investigated, including through several interviews with Matthew Doyle, prior to his appointment [to the Lords].”
Doyle instructed the newspaper: “Sean Morton was maintaining his innocence at this time. I regret supporting him.
“Sean Morton was someone I knew for a period through other shared acquaintances. I have not seen him for years.”
When requested if he had stored contact with Morton after his conviction, Doyle declined to reply.
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https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2150944/keir-starmer-peerage-aide-supported-paedophile