The Huffington Post
Liz Kendall and Keir Starmer A cabinet minister has attracted online backlash after claiming Keir Starmer is a “man of honesty and integrity” amid the fallout of Peter Mandelson. The prime minister’s judgement – and political future – is under question after it emerged this week that his pick to be the UK’s ambassador to the US failed security vetting, but still got the top job anyway. Starmer insists that the Foreign Office kept him in the dark about the security risks around Mandelson. Technology secretary Liz Kendall furiously defended the prime minister on Sky News on Sunday, telling presenter Trevor Phillips she had “100%” confidence in the prime minister, despite this scandal. “He is a man of guts and strength and courage,” she said. “He does take responsibility. “He is a man, when big decisions are facing the country, is making the right calls, on getting a grip of our public finances, on investing in our defence and NHS, of not getting involved in the war with no clear objective and no clear exit plan, who has focused on things that have mattered to me my entire life – getting kids out of poverty and tackling violence against women and girls. “That is why I support the prime minister, because on the big judgements facing the country, he has made the right calls, no matter what pressure is put on him.” On the Mandelson appointment, she continued to describe the prime minister as an “honest man” who acknowledges it was a “mistake” to promote the ex-Labour peer. “He removed Peter Mandelson and I think that he is a man of honesty and integrity,” Kendall said. “And you know what, Trevor, tomorrow in the House of Commons, he will face all of these issues and questions. He will lay all the facts before parliament.” Kendall also claimed Starmer would not have appointed Mandelson if he knew he failed the security vetting. She sent a warning to political opponents who might be trying to topple the prime minister, saying: “Any politician that focuses more on their future and their job, not people’s future sand their jobs, will lose the public support. That is why I back Keir Starmer.” 'I think that he is a man of honesty and integrity' Speaking to @TrevorPTweets , Liz Kendall defends Sir Keir Starmer, saying he gets the big decisions 'right' #TrevorPhillips pic.twitter.com/TnzPnZURDy — Sky News (@SkyNews) April 19, 2026 However, her comments sparked a strong reaction on X, where many online critics strongly disagreed with her support for Starmer... On today’s episode of Have I Got Seriously Deluded For You……. https://t.co/GwbqQxYRz4 — Estella Joyce (@LelJoyce) April 19, 2026 @leicesterliz how does accepting designer clothes , glasses & many other luxury items from a Labour donor fit in with honesty & integrity ? not to mention appointing a man who used to hang out with a convicted Paedophile as Uk Ambassador to Us ? https://t.co/Qsys3WK8FF — RaphieB . (@KFRD_I) April 19, 2026 Liz Kendall taking the heat this morning. It’s embarrassing. https://t.co/sSsW4B73ml — Alison Wallis (@alisonwallis60) April 19, 2026 We have reached unprecedented levels of cope. https://t.co/dkjKIXXKcl — Jack (@FFS_WhatNow) April 19, 2026 https://t.co/xyVW37ITjR — Mr Gibberish™️ (@Gibberary) April 19, 2026 Did Trevor fall off his seat in fits of laughter? https://t.co/2puUQMZwXh — Andy (@RedLennon) April 19, 2026 ‘he gets the big decisions right’ https://t.co/bRsBP6gc5Z — The TV Grump (@TheTVGrump) April 19, 2026 Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Trevor Phillips Tears Holes In Starmer's Defence Over Mandelson Vetting Row Starmer's 'F*****d': Labour In Turmoil As Mandelson Saga Threatens To Take Down PM (Again) 5 Pressing Questions For Starmer As Mandelson's Vetting Ignites Fresh Row
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