Starmer did not gamble with national security over Mandelson, says minister

Liz Kendall tries to limit fallout from vetting scandal as PM prepares for Commons showdown

Keir Starmer did not gamble with national security by appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, a cabinet minister has said, as the government tried to limit fallout from the scandal.

With the prime minister preparing for a high-stakes Commons showdown on Monday, Liz Kendall said Starmer should not lose his job over last week’s revelations because he had “made the right calls” on the big issues facing the country.