Starmer admits No 10 asked about job for aide Matthew Doyle

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee confirmed Morgan McSweeney, former Downing Street chief of staff, will give evidence on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

During PMQs, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Conservative MP Mike Wood questioned whether Downing Street had considered appointing Doyle to a diplomatic position; Starmer defended and said due process was followed.

Sir Keir Starmer confirmed conversations took place about a potential diplomatic role for his aide Matthew Doyle; he said nothing came of these discussions.

Sir Olly Robbins gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee; the evidence was cited in reporting on the ongoing row surrounding Lord Mandelson's appointment and Doyle's status.

Matthew Doyle was suspended from the Labour parliamentary party over links with a convicted sex offender.

Lord Mandelson was sacked from the post in September 2025 over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Matthew Doyle left Downing Street in March 2025 after leaving his role there.

Lord Mandelson formally took up the top diplomatic role in February 2025.

It emerged that Lord Mandelson was given security clearance for the top diplomatic job in January 2025.

The Sunday Times reported that Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton after Morton was charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children in December 2016.