Starmer faces Mandelson vetting scandal

The scandal has deepened following revelations that Downing Street was warned about Mandelson's vetting issues as early as last September.

Starmer has blamed former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins for withholding the information, leading to the bureaucrat's sacking.

Opposition parties have accused the Prime Minister of misleading Parliament and putting political appointments ahead of national security.

An emergency debate is scheduled as the government faces a crisis of accountability.