No 10 did not know' of aide's links to paedophile when he was given peerage

"Downing Street was not aware that Keir Starmer's longstanding communications chief had campaigned for a paedophile when his peerage was announced, a minister has said. Matthew Doyle, who stepped down as the No 10 head of communications last March, was suspended on Monday from the Labour whip in his new role in the Lords after it emerged that he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children."

"The Labour party chair, Anna Turley, said on Tuesday that it was her personal view that Doyle's peerage should be taken away. However, Gould declined to echo those calls, referring to an ongoing investigation by the party, and adding: We'll wait for that to conclude. But the prime minister said on Monday night that we want to ensure the highest standards in public life."

Matthew Doyle was suspended from the Labour whip in the Lords after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend charged with possessing indecent images of children. Downing Street said it did not know about Doyle's campaigning when the peerage was announced on 10 December. The revelation overshadowed a multibillion pound special educational needs announcement and increased scrutiny of recent appointments, including Peter Mandelson's role in Washington. The Labour party chair called for the peerage to be removed. The party is investigating and ministers said vetting for House of Lords appointments must change to ensure high standards in public life.

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