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  "path": "/politics/peter-mandelson-row-tories-accused-silly-political-games-emma-reynolds-defends-keir-starmer",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-27T12:13:25.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Lindsay Hoyle to make crunch decision over claims on whether Keir Starmer misleading Parliament",
    "Keir Starmer to make Labour MPs block sleaze probe as PM braces for crunch vote",
    "Police to question No10 staff over Morgan McSweeney's missing phone",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nEmma Reynolds has mounted a robust defence of the Prime Minister, rejecting claims he deceived Parliament regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment.\n\nSpeaking to GB News, the Environment Secretary characterised opposition demands for a Commons sleaze investigation as \"silly political games\" being pursued by the Conservatives and other parties.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe maintained the Government had fulfilled its obligations under the humble address procedure, stating: \"As a Government, we have presented all the documents necessary to comply with the humble address.\"\n\nMs Reynolds declared it had been \"categorically proven\" that the Prime Minister neither lied to nor misled Parliament, with the Speaker ultimately deciding whether any vote proceeds.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Cabinet minister confirmed the Prime Minister was justified in dismissing Sir Olly Robbins from his position.\n\nMs Reynolds explained that the former permanent secretary had overruled guidance from UK Security Vetting without keeping the Prime Minister informed of this decision.\n\n\"He didn't tell the Prime Minister about it, despite the fact he was asked quite a number of times about that process,\" she said.\n\nWhile acknowledging that proper procedures were technically observed, Ms Reynolds conceded the system itself was \"fundamentally flawed.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Government has now removed the ability of permanent secretaries to contradict UK Security Vetting recommendations and is conducting an urgent review of the entire process.\n\nWhen asked by host Christopher Hope to choose between Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner as a potential successor, Ms Reynolds made clear her preference lay elsewhere entirely.\n\n\"I would rather retain our current prime minister,\" she stated.\n\nThe Environment Secretary pointed to the mandate secured at the general election less than two years ago, noting the Prime Minister had won a decisive victory in July 2024.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Lindsay Hoyle to make crunch decision over claims on whether Keir Starmer misleading Parliament\n  * Keir Starmer to make Labour MPs block sleaze probe as PM braces for crunch vote\n  * Police to question No10 staff over Morgan McSweeney's missing phone\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMs Reynolds made clear: \"I do get quite tired, frankly, of this constant leadership speculation.\"\n\nShe emphasised voters had backed him with a clear programme: enhancing public services and addressing cost of living pressures facing households across the country.\n\nMs Reynolds suggested the focus should remain on delivering these commitments rather than entertaining questions about alternative leadership.\n\nWith local elections approaching across England, alongside important contests in Scotland and Wales, she argued the timing was particularly unhelpful.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Labour MP expressed clear frustration with ongoing speculation about the party's leadership, describing herself as \"quite tired\" of such discussions.\n\nThe Cabinet minister said her priority was engaging directly with voters about the Government's record.\n\nShe concluded: \"I want to be talking to people, which is what I do, week in, week out, on the doorstep, about what this Government has done to help improve their lives.\n\n\"And what Labour councils are doing to improve their high street and their local services.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Tories accused of 'silly political games' as Emma Reynolds leaps to Keir Starmer's defence"
}