PMQs LIVE: Keir Starmer faces MPs

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>PMQs LIVE: Keir Starmer faces MPs after parliamentary investigation voted down

Keir Starmer has faced down a bid to refer him to a parliamentary sleaze inquiry over the Peter Mandelson scandal in a day of Commons drama.

MPs voted down the Tory motion to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee for a probe into whether he misled MPs on Lord Mandelson’s appointment by 335 votes to 223 – a majority of 112. A Downing Street operation to thwart a damaging defeat appeared to have paid off. But Mr Starmer faced criticism from his own benches as he ordered Labour MPs to oppose the motion, which No10 described as “a desperate political stunt”.