Sir Keir Starmer urged Labour MPs to back him ahead of a Commons vote today on whether he should face an ethics investigation over the Mandelson vetting row.
The Prime Minister told MPs last night the motion was “a political stunt by our opponents who want to bring us down, obscure our message, stop us getting on with our work. And the timing tells you everything, nine days before local elections.”
He added: “Tomorrow is pure politics and we need to stand together against it,” and said: “When we stick together and fight together, we are so much stronger.”
MPs will vote today on whether Sir Keir should be referred to the privileges committee over claims he misled Parliament about Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Downing Street has issued a three-line whip to Labour MPs, with some reports suggesting a small number could abstain rather than support the Government.
The vote comes amid mounting political pressure before next week’s local elections, with Labour braced for significant losses across England.