Tory leader accuses PM of wanting to talk about disgraced royal rather than his own role in appointing peer with Epstein ties
Sir Keir Starmer is using the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to distract from his role in the Lord Mandelson scandal, Kemi Badenoch has claimed. The Tory leader made the staggering intervention this morning, just days after the former Prince was arrested and placed under investigation for misconduct in public office.
In a heated TV showdown with presenter Susanna Reid, Mrs Badenoch suggested the Prime Minister would rather talk about anyone but himself. She said the arrest “distracts from the real issue which is what the Prime Minister did with Lord Mandelson.” Mrs Badenoch added she felt Sir Keir “would much rather we were talking about Prince Andrew than talking about him.” The Prime Minister has faced repeated demands to release the vetting files on Lord Mandelson but has so far refused.
It comes after bombshell reports over the weekend suggested the 72-year-old peer was “fast tracked” through vetting so he could access top secret documents sooner. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was arrested last Thursday and denies any wrongdoing.
It was revealed over the weekend that Lord Mandelson lobbied for the now former Prince to become Trade Envoy under the last Labour Government. He was booted out of the House of Lords after fresh revelations that he had remained in contact with disgraced American paedophile Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
But Sir Keir has been facing mounting pressure to reveal what he knew about the relationship between the pair when he appointed Lord Mandelson US Ambassador. The Conservatives have demanded the release of the complete vetting file.
Over the weekend, the i paper revealed the vetting process may have been rushed to let the disgraced peer access “top secret” documents ahead of schedule.
Kemi launched the blistering attack this morning. (Image: Getty)
Lord Mandelson has consistently denied wrongdoing.
He has a long-standing relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, with Mrs Badenoch demanding an investigation “into how Mandelson and his husband were being sent money by the convicted paedophile.” after reports emerged they had taken a payment from the financier.
She has accused Sir Keir of not having “a backbone”, whilst the Prime Minister has claimed Lord Mandelson was not honest with him at the time of the appointment.
Downing Street has been approached for comment.
