Sir Keir Starmer’s former communications chief Lord Matthew Doyle has apologised for his past association with a paedophile councillor and said he will not be taking the Labour whip.
In a statement concerning the row over the disgraced Sean Morton, Lord Doyle said: “Those of us who took him at his word were clearly mistaken.
“I have never sought to dismiss or diminish the seriousness of the offences for which he was rightly convicted. They are clearly abhorrent and I have never questioned his conviction.
“Following his conviction any contact was extremely limited and I have not seen or spoken to him in years.
“Twice I was at events organised by other people, which he attended, and once I saw him to check on his welfare after concerns were raised through others.
“I acted to try to ensure the welfare of a troubled individual whilst fully condemning the crimes for which he has been convicted and being clear that my thoughts are with the victims of his crimes.
“I am sorry about the mistakes I have made. I will not be taking the Labour whip.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me conclude where I started. Morton’s crimes were vile and my only concerns are for his victims.”
Matthew Doyle campaigned for a disgraced former Labour councillor | GETTY
Mr Doyle served as Downing Street’s director of communications until March last year and was later nominated for a peerage by the Prime Minister.
When he left No10, Sir Keir described it as a “privilege” to have worked with him and that he had been “by my side every day”.
Mr an Morton, an ex-Labour representative in Moray, Scotland, was charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children in December 2016.
He was immediately suspended by the party and later convicted of the offences.
Matthew Doyle served as Downing Street’s director of communications until March last year
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GETTY
Despite the charges, Mr Doyle campaigned for Morton when he ran in May 2017.
Mr Doyle was seen wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Re-elect Sean Morton” and accompanying him to the election count at Fochabers Lhanbryde ward, where Morton placed fifth.
Addressing his relationship with the disgraced councillor at the time, Mr Doyle said: “Sean Morton was maintaining his innocence at this time. I regret supporting him. Sean Morton was someone I knew for a period through other shared acquaintances. I have not seen him for years.”
A Downing Street spokesman also said: “Questions regarding Matthew Doyle’s past acquaintance with Sean Morton were thoroughly investigated, including through several interviews with Matthew Doyle, prior to his appointment (to the Lords).”
Mr Doyle previously served as Labour’s head of press between 1998 and 2005, before working for Lord David Blunkett and Sir Tony Blair.
He later joined Sir Keir’s team as director of communications in May 2021, holding the role through a turbulent first year in Government, before leaving after nine months.Adds to Doyle peerage
GB News understands No10 was not aware Matthew Doyle had campaigned for Sean Morton at time of appointment. It is also understood that the PM wanted this looked at again.
A Labour spokesman said: “All complaints are assessed thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures.”