Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash says he would have voted with Labour rebels in Commons vote for Peter Mandelson investigation
Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash says he would have sided with Labour rebels and voted for an investigation into the Prime Minister over his appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
The motion to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening was rejected by 223 to 335.
Fifteen Labour MPs rebelled against the Government by voting in favour of an investigation into the appointment of former Hartlepool MP Lord Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.
Six North East MPs disobeyed orders (whip) to reject the motion including Grahame Morris who represents Easington.
Jonathan Brash, who spoke out against the Prime Minister on TV last week, said he was unable to be at Parliament for the vote due to attending Hartlepool’s International Workers Day remembrance service earlier that day.
In a Facebook post, he said: “This is one of the biggest events of its kind anywhere in the country and a fixture in Hartlepool for many years.”
Mr Brash added about the Commons motion: “To whip colleagues on a matter of this nature is, in my view, a serious misjudgement and deeply unfair on them.
"Regardless of the motives of opposition parties, the sensible course would have been for the Prime Minister to refer himself to the Privileges Committee.
"For that reason I stand with North East colleagues Andy McDonald, Luke Myer, Emma Lewell, Kate Osborne, Kate Osborne and Mary Foy.
"I would have voted for the motion today.”
Downing Street described the motion as a “desperate political stunt” by the Conservatives adding it will continue to engage with the two ongoing parliamentary processes on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with “full transparency”.