Pam Relton

It turns out that biggest casualty of the Mandelson saga is tittle tattle journalism!!

@EdwardJDavey I rather think he was trying to get a good trade deal in the interests of the Country

There it is. Morgan McSweeney confirms the Mandelson appointment was all about Trump. Keir Starmer’s original sin was trying to suck up to Trump.

@BethRigby Cat Little has all her notes - hardly reported on

What I am finding genuinely surprising and perplexing from these hearings is there appear to be no notes of meetings regarding the decision to make a political appointment, to make Mandelson the ambassador, or records of meetings between Robbins and officials on the developed vetting. You can see why Thornberry incredulous about that given the importance of the process and the red flags raised!

@allforthanookie 😂

Average MP about to vote on removing welfare provisions at 11:30pm

@BethRigby and watching Barton answering questions this morning, I can understand Lammy

BARTON: It wasn't my choice to leave the FCDO > Barton left 8 months before his 5 year tenure up. Lammy wanted someone else to lead a transformation programme of FCDO

Philip Barton has said he has no recollection at all of Morgsn McSweeney swearing at him or more generally during any meeting about Mandelson. Significant as it is one of the key claims being used by the Conservatives to claim Keir Starmer misled the Commons.

It really looks like the media want starmer out.@Keir_Starmer is a tough cookie. He is going nowhere. Look how they hounded Angela raynor. If Starmer goes. Then the media will be relentless on the next Labour leader. Britain wake up and smell the coffee.

@alexwickham and, unlike Cat Little, doesn't seem to have all the receipts and notes from meetings on this

Philip Barton asked about whether FCDO was under pressure from No10 says there were “conversations about progress” Says No10 was “uninterested” in vetting And makes clear the appointment was a fait accompli from Starmer But doesn’t provide any real examples of pressure

After all that, Philip Barton says Morgan McSweeney did NOT tell him ‘just f-ing approve him’ re Mandelson

@Hepworthclare interesting...also Cat Little seems to be the only person who has all the receipts and notes from her meetings on this

@Anniepop2027 @bphillipsonMP @SkyNews Govnt Minister should push back on his type of questioning as @darrenpjones did so well with @lewis_goodall

Sophy Ridge now says “key question” to @bphillipsonMP as to the PM was “pressure exerted” statement. Yesterday, she said it was “due process” This is the thing. They can’t decide which to try and make stick, changing the point daily when one is disproved. Shocking. @SkyNews

@PippaCrerar so the whole story has been distracting and a waste of time

NEW: Downing Street has published the letter that Chris Wormald, then cabinet secretary, sent to Keir Starmer in September about process followed for Peter Mandelson appointment. “The evidence I have reviewed leads me to conclude that *appropriate processes were followed* in both the appointment and withdrawal of the former HMA Washington,” he writes. PM’s aides will be hoping this lays to bed claims he knowingly misled Parliament when he said “due process” had been followed - and which will be debated by MPs tomorrow when they consider whether to refer him to privileges committee.

@louderry this constant speculation is exhausting and pointless

The media and opposition made it up.

Vital Starmer survives for the stability of the British political system, after what's already been a decade of chaos one way and another. Otherwise, we really are into ungovernability territory, with media decibels likely to become ever more deafening for any Starmer successor.

The first wind turbine has now been installed at East Anglia THREE 🌊 This is a huge moment for @iberdrola and @masdar, as we move towards completion on the £4bn, 1.4GW project later this year. Once operational, it will be one of the world’s largest offshore windfarms, delivering enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 1.3 million British homes.

Mandelson was sacked by Starmer because his friendship with Epstein was revealed to be deeper than had been *known*. That’s it. At the time, the appointment was seen as canny; smart even. Tell me why the press are still discussing this. It’s not about the leader, it’s Labour!

Nigel Farage who wants to be prime minister of this country has missed 50 votes in parliament to decide the future of it. He doesnt care and you are stupid to think he does

Lots of Farage and Reform voters claiming "Starmer is the worst PM of the worst government in my lifetime". Here's a tragic reminder of the Tories under Boris (many of whom now represent Reform)...

@OperaSocialist @jackalsbynight I cried when I heard this for the first time - hearing it again is heartbreaking

@ScottDMenzel I loved it

It’s a real damn shame that audiences are no longer interested in films like I Swear. This is a wonderful little film that is both educational and entertaining. After seeing it, I’m not surprised that Robert Aramayo won the BAFTA, because he delivers one hell of a performance as John Davidson. More importantly, the film does a tremendous job of showing what it is like to develop and live with Tourette syndrome. I Swear is a real gem and well worth everyone’s time and attention. #ISwear

NOW THIS IS WHAT LONDON IS REALLY LIKE