STORY
MPs are due to hold a general debate on the Government’s response to the Humble Address relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States. The debate replaces the previously scheduled remaining stages of the Railways Bill, underlining how the controversy has taken priority in the Commons timetable.
The papers listed for the sitting also include correspondence with the Deputy Prime Minister relating to the Mandelson appointment, reported to the House on 2 June. That gives MPs another formal route to scrutinise the process, beyond the media coverage of the released files.
For Labour, the parliamentary debate is awkward because it allows critics to revisit both the original appointment and the Government’s subsequent disclosure strategy. For the opposition, it offers a ready-made line of attack about transparency and judgement.