Labour Party Faces Pressure Over Matthew Doyle's Peerage Amid Controversy

The Labour Party is under increasing pressure to strip Matthew Doyle, the former director of communications for No 10, of his peerage due to his connections with convicted paedophile Steve Morton. Doyle, who was ennobled on January 8, has had the Labour whip withdrawn, leaving him to serve as an independent in the House of Lords. Prominent Labour women, including Deputy Leader Lucy Powell and Party Chair Anna Turley, have voiced their demands for swift action against Doyle, emphasizing the need for a mechanism to remove individuals from the Lords in such circumstances.

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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy publicly criticized the awarding of Doyle's peerage, stating it sends "all the wrong signals" to victims of sexual abuse, particularly children. During a private meeting, MP Emma Lewell expressed her frustration, highlighting the damaging perception that Labour could be seen as a "paedo protectors' party." Doyle acknowledged his misjudgment in supporting Morton, who had claimed innocence during his campaign, and apologized for not ceasing his support prior to a judicial conclusion.

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing scrutiny for his decision to appoint Doyle, especially after being informed of Doyle's past support for Morton. Starmer admitted that Doyle had "failed to give a full account" of his actions and has been criticized for maintaining his decision for over six weeks after learning of the situation. The pressure on Starmer intensified as female MPs warned that the party's image could suffer significantly if decisive action is not taken.

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In response to the growing outcry, Chris Ward, a Cabinet Office minister and ally of Starmer, indicated that the government is exploring broader legislation to address the removal of individuals from the House of Lords. This proposed legislation aims to establish a more systematic approach to such removals, rather than addressing cases on an individual basis.

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Despite the calls for Doyle's removal, some members of the House of Lords have expressed skepticism about the likelihood of such an action. One Labour peer noted that with the whip withdrawn, Labour's influence over Doyle is limited, suggesting that he may choose to resign to avoid being the first individual expelled from the Lords in a century. The situation remains complex, with various opinions on the best course of action for the party and its leadership.

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• “But I really think it sends out all the wrong signals to the country and to victims and survivors of sexual abuse, particularly where it involves children,” — Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary

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• “I can’t even begin to explain how much it hurts when people are screaming at me in the street that I am a member of the ‘paedo protectors’ party’,” — Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields

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• “To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgement for which I apologise unreservedly.” — Matthew Doyle, former No 10 director of communications

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The Labour Party is at a critical juncture as it navigates the fallout from Matthew Doyle's peerage and the implications for its reputation and leadership.

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