Sir Keir Starmer said his former communications chief “did not give a full account of his actions” when he was given a peerage despite his ties to a paedophile councillor.
Lord Matthew Doyle apologised after having the Labour whip removed over his links to Sean Morton, who he campaigned for in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children.
His elevation to the House of Lords has raised fresh questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment amid claims his former aide’s friendship with Morton was public knowledge when his appointment was confirmed.
Lord Matthew Doyle is a former director of communications at Downing Street (Alamy/PA)
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of knowing about his former spin doctor’s association with Moray councillor Morton when Lord Doyle took his seat in the upper chamber.
The Labour leader replied: “Matthew Doyle did not give a full account of his actions.
“On Monday I promised my party and my country there will be change
“And yesterday I removed the whip from Matthew Doyle.”
