Senior Labour figures say call for new Mandelson investigation is a political stunt'

"The Conservatives have called for the cross-party privileges committee to look at whether the prime minister misled parliament when he said normal procedures were followed with Mandelson's appointment."

"Alan Johnson and David Blunkett released a joint statement calling the move a nakedly political stunt with no substance, calling any comparison to Johnson absurd."

"Downing Street says the evidence it has heard so far, including from senior civil servants, has shown Starmer told the truth."

"Emily Thornberry, the Labour MP who chairs the foreign affairs committee, said she could not see the need for a second inquiry while the one she is leading is still taking place."

Senior Labour figures have dismissed calls for a new investigation into Keir Starmer's statements about Peter Mandelson's appointment, labeling it as political point scoring. The Conservatives have requested the privileges committee to examine whether Starmer misled parliament. Previous inquiries have scrutinized Boris Johnson's conduct regarding lockdown breaches. Downing Street asserts that evidence supports Starmer's truthfulness. Labour MPs, including Alan Johnson and David Blunkett, criticize the inquiry push as lacking substance. Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, sees no need for a second inquiry while the current one is ongoing.

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