It is judgment day in the Commons for the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, over what he knew, and when, about the process that led to Peter Mandelson being appointed as ambassador to Washington. Starmer has promised to “set out all relevant facts in true transparency” to MPs this afternoon. It is a tall order. Starmer has to make a convincing case of his version of events – which basically comes down to saying he did not know until a few days ago that Mandelson had failed his security vetting – to a sceptical audience of MPs from all parties. The PM must also lay to rest, once and for all, the potentially deadly charge that he intentionally misled the Commons (an offence that usually ends in ministerial resignation) when he insisted that “due process” had been followed. The stakes could not be any higher.

The PM must also lay to rest, once and for all, the potentially deadly charge that he intentionally misled the Commons

The PM must also lay to rest, once and for all, the potentially deadly charge that he intentionally misled the........

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