Remember me
The case relates to Matthew Doyle , the now-suspended Labour baron and former No 10 communications chief who was given a life peerage despite admitting to campaigning for former Scottish councillor Sean Morton even after he had been charged with child sex offences .
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn both wrote to the Prime Minister and raised the case in the Commons on February 11, asking Keir Starmer to publish files relating to the decision to give Doyle a seat in the Lords .
READ MORE: All the key dates in the paedo-pal peerage row engulfing Keir Starmer
Flynn said: “On December 30, having written to the House of Lords Appointments Commission, I received a response from the chair, who advised me that as part of their vetting, they provide confidential advice to the Prime Minister on the propriety of a potential nominee.
“Will he release that advice?”
Starmer responded by raising the embezzlement charge against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell , for which he was admonished by the Speaker.
In the wake of the non-answer, The National submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for:
All advice provided by the House of Lords Appointments Commission to the Prime Minister in the [Matthew Doyle] case referenced above concerning the propriety of the potential nominee. Any and all correspondence relating to that advice, including internal communications regarding its development, drafting, consideration and approval. Any correspondence or communications relating to its submission or transmission to the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister’s Office.Responding, the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) confirmed that it “does [emphasis in original] hold information in scope of this request”, but said that the arguments for keeping it private outweigh the public interest.
It stated: “It is acknowledged in this instance that there has been press reporting in relation to this individual’s appointment, as well as comments from the individual himself.
“We appreciate that this may increase the public interest in understanding details relating to this case. Conversely, it would set a dangerous precedent to say that the Commission should publish confidential vetting documents for any case that receives press interest, covering a range of circumstances, including where a story has no factual basis.
“We therefore do not believe that the public reporting supports the release of information in this case.”
The refusal – which the Sunday National is appealing – added that “some” of the information would be withheld regardless, as it was only imparted in confidence.
READ MORE: Labour minister contradicts No 10 over peer's links to paedophile
Kirsty Blackman, the SNP’s chief whip at Westminster, said: “It is now three weeks since the SNP called on Keir Starmer to release the full vetting files on Matthew Doyle, yet he has still not done so.
“Keir Starmer gave the public supporter of a convicted paedophile a seat in the House of Lords, and we still have no clarity about the vetting process that led him to make that disgusting appointment.
“People remember only too well how the Prime Minister had to be forced, despite his attempts at a cover-up, to release the Mandelson files . Clearly, he has not learned his lesson, given his refusal to release the same information on Matthew Doyle.
“Keir Starmer's handling of the Matthew Doyle scandal is yet one more example of his appalling judgment and his complete lack of fitness for the job of Prime Minister.
“There cannot be another Labour Government cover-up – the public deserves the truth and maximum transparency.”
The UK Government declined to comment.