Peerage Given to Aide Amid Questions About His Past

Questions are being asked about a peerage given to Matthew Doyle, a former aide. He had supported a councillor later charged with serious offenses. Downing Street states they were not aware of this when he was given the honor. Mr. Doyle has apologized.
By Newsroom | Politics, United Kingdom |

Serious questions have surfaced regarding the peerage granted to Matthew Doyle, a former communications chief for Keir Starmer. Reports indicate that Downing Street may not have been aware of Doyle's past support for a councillor later charged with child indecent image offenses at the time of his ennoblement. This situation has led to Doyle's suspension from the Labour whip in the House of Lords and sparked wider debate about vetting processes.

No 10 ‘did not know’ of aide’s links to paedophile when he was given peerage - 1

Matthew Doyle, who previously served as Director of Communications at Number 10, was made a peer, Baron Doyle of Great Barford, in January 2026. This honour followed his tenure under Keir Starmer. However, his position has become precarious following revelations that he campaigned on behalf of Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor. Morton was later charged with, and subsequently admitted to, possessing indecent images of children.

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No 10 ‘did not know’ of aide’s links to paedophile when he was given peerage - 2

The timing of these disclosures has cast a shadow over recent government announcements and intensified scrutiny on opposition leader Keir Starmer. Doyle himself has issued an apology, stating he believed Morton’s claims of innocence at the time of the campaign. However, this has done little to quell the mounting pressure for greater transparency and more rigorous vetting procedures for public appointments.

No 10 ‘did not know’ of aide’s links to paedophile when he was given peerage - 3

Timeline of Events

  • Prior to January 2026: Matthew Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton.

  • January 2026: Doyle was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Doyle of Great Barford.

  • December 2025: Reports emerged of a Downing Street investigation into Doyle's continued support for Morton after the latter was charged with child indecent image offences.

  • February 10, 2026: Doyle was suspended from the Labour whip in the House of Lords.

  • February 11, 2026: A minister stated that Downing Street was unaware of Doyle's past support for Morton when the peerage was granted.

Key Figures and Organizations

  • Matthew Doyle: Former Director of Communications at Number 10, now Baron Doyle of Great Barford.

  • Keir Starmer: Leader of the Labour Party.

  • Sean Morton: Former Labour councillor, later charged with possessing indecent images of children.

  • Downing Street: The official residence and office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

  • Labour Party: A political party in the United Kingdom.

  • The House of Lords: The upper chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Official Statements and Actions

"Downing Street was not aware that Keir Starmer’s longstanding communications chief had campaigned for a paedophile when his peerage was announced, a minister has said." - The Guardian

Lord Doyle has apologized, stating: "He later changed his plea in court to guilty. Lord Doyle said he believed Morton’s assertions of innocence at the time he campaigned for him, but the councillor later admitted having the images." - Perspective Media

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  • Suspension of Labour Whip: Matthew Doyle was suspended from the Labour whip in the House of Lords following the revelations.

  • Apology from Lord Doyle: Doyle expressed remorse, attributing his past actions to a belief in Morton's innocence at the time.

  • Government Position: A minister has asserted that Downing Street lacked prior knowledge of Doyle's involvement with Morton concerning the peerage process.

Debate on Vetting Processes

The case has ignited a discussion about the adequacy of vetting procedures for individuals being considered for peerages and other public appointments.

No 10 ‘did not know’ of aide’s links to paedophile when he was given peerage - 4

Calls for Stricter Scrutiny

  • Critics argue that the circumstances surrounding Doyle's peerage highlight potential shortcomings in the vetting process.

  • There are demands for a review and enhancement of mechanisms to ensure that appointees have no undisclosed problematic past associations.

  • Anna Turley, Labour chairwoman, has suggested that Lord Doyle should lose his peerage, implying he may not have been entirely truthful before his elevation.

Denials of Prior Knowledge

  • Keir Starmer has denied claims that he was aware of Doyle’s relationship with Morton prior to the peerage being granted.

  • Downing Street, through ministerial statements, has also maintained a lack of awareness regarding Doyle's campaign for Morton at the time of the peerage announcement.

Broader Political Context

The issue has become entangled with other political pressures, including scrutiny of Keir Starmer's decisions and government policy announcements.

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  • The controversy has overshadowed a significant government announcement regarding special educational needs support.

  • The situation is being linked to prior debates about Starmer's decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, given Mandelson's past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

  • Conservative politicians, such as Kemi Badenoch, have indicated they intend to continue raising the matter, suggesting it is not an issue they will "let drop."

Conclusion

The conferral of a peerage upon Matthew Doyle, despite his subsequent revealed past association with Sean Morton, has precipitated significant political fallout. Downing Street maintains it was unaware of these associations at the time of the appointment, a stance echoed by Keir Starmer. However, the event has spurred urgent calls for improved vetting procedures. Lord Doyle has apologized, but the matter continues to be a focal point of political debate, with demands for accountability and a review of how individuals are assessed for public honours. The exact extent of knowledge held by various parties at the crucial juncture of the peerage recommendation remains a central point of contention.

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Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Matthew Doyle?
He is a former communications chief and was recently made a peer in the House of Lords.
Q: What is the problem?
Questions have come up because he supported a councillor who was later charged with child indecent image offenses.
Q: Did Downing Street know?
A minister said Downing Street did not know about his past support when the peerage was given.
Q: What has Matthew Doyle said?
He has apologized and said he believed the councillor was innocent at the time.
Q: What is happening now?
He has been suspended from the Labour whip and people are asking for better checks for public jobs.