Liberal Democrats Leader Criticizes PM Over Paedophile Supporter Appointments

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In a question to the Prime Minister, Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey criticized the appointment of two individuals with past ties to paedophile advocacy groups, calling it a "catastrophic lack of judgement." Davey specifically mentioned the appointments of Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle, stating that "to appoint one paedophile supporter cannot be excused as misfortune, but to appoint two shows a catastrophic lack of judgement."

Why it matters

The revelations about Mandelson and Doyle's past associations have sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the Prime Minister's vetting process for senior government appointments. There are concerns that individuals with such controversial histories should not be placed in positions of power and influence.

The details

Details about the specific nature of Mandelson and Doyle's ties to paedophile advocacy groups were not provided in the original report. However, the fact that the Liberal Democrats leader felt compelled to publicly criticize the Prime Minister over these appointments suggests they were significant enough to warrant strong condemnation.

• The comments from Sir Ed Davey were made during a recent session of Prime Minister's Questions on February 12, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Prime Minister is expected to address the concerns raised by Sir Ed Davey in the coming days, potentially providing more details on the vetting process for senior government appointments.