Keir Starmer skewered on GB News by Kemi Badenoch in furious attack - 'He told lies'

Kemi Badenoch launched a furious attack on Keir Starmer on GB News over the Peter Mandelson scandal, accusing him of overruling national security warnings and misleading MPs. The Conservative leader appeared on the news programme to discuss her thoughts on the Prime Minister, who sacked Peter Mandelson last week as US ambassador over the envoy's close friendship with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. However, Sir Keir is now facing immense pressure over his political judgement and faces questions as to why Lord Mandelson was appointed in the first place. Kemi waded in on him and said: "We cannot have a Prime Minister who tells Parliament things that aren't true! [...] He told lies to get elected... and he's still lying."

Meanwhile, Starmer refuses to quit his position and says in a statement: "Had I known then what I know now, I'd have never appointed him." The Prime Minister backed Mandelson in the House of Commons on Wednesday, but a day later, he sacked him.

Last week, it was revealed by the Foreign Office that newly seen emails showed "the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein."

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs: "In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein's appalling crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect."

Allegations were published in The Telegraph on Wednesday morning last week, claiming that Mandelson had emailed Epstein to set up meetings regarding business following Jeffrey's conviction for child sex offences in 2008.

Doughty explained: "The emails show that the depth and extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment."

It also comes after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned after it was revealed that she had underpaid tax on her Hove flat and had broken the ministerial code by not paying enough stamp duty.

In her resignation letter, she said she deeply regretted what she maintained was an error. Her departure prompted a Cabinet reshuffle; for instance, new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood replaced Yvette Cooper.