Starmer now says that, when questioned, the “full facts were not given” by Doyle about his links to Morton. Labour sources say the news story was the first time that Starmer learned Doyle had helped Morton politically, despite knowing he had been charged. The Doyle incident blew up on Tuesday, the day after Starmer was almost ousted over Mandelson. Mandelson has quit the Lords, but Starmer still plans legislation to strip him of his peerage and title. [ Explainer: What next for Keir Starmer and the Labour Party?Opens in new window ]Rather than abolishing it, Starmer has stuffed the Lords with his allies instead.

Source: The Irish Times February 14, 2026 19:34 UTC