BOROUGH MP Chris Bloore has come under fire from Redditch Conservatives for voting against a motion to refer the prime minister to the privileges committee.
The motion, led by the Tories, called for Sir Keir Starmer to be referred to a Parliamentary watchdog to consider whether he misled the Commons over the Peter Mandelson appointment.
The Government implemented a three-line whip to Labour MPs, instructing members to vote against it.
In total, 15 Labour MPs broke ranks, including ex-Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Emma Lewell.
Other rebels included MPs Richard Burgon, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Nadia Whittome, Kate Osborne and Apsana Begum.
The motion was ultimately dismissed by 335 to 223 votes in the House of Commons on Tuesday as the vast majority of Labour MPs fell in line with the Government.
The Redditch Conservatives said they were appalled to learn that Mr Bloore voted with the whip.
They said: “While the Conservatives stood firm on the principle that no one was above the rules, Chris Bloore chose to prioritise party whipped lines over the standards of transparency he promised to uphold during his election campaign.
“Our country is facing significant economic challenges and global instability.
“We need a Government focused on the British people, not one plagued by internal scandals and hypocrisy.”
Mr Bloore hit back and said it was misleading to suggest there was no investigation into the appointment.
“I supported the Humble Address calling for the release of all Government papers relating to Mr Mandelson’s appointment, in the interests of transparency and accountability.
There are two ongoing cross-party inquiries which are examining the processes behind such appointments and will report on why they have been so shambolic in this case and to confirm the account given by the Prime Minister and senior civil servants.
“It remains my firm view that Mr Mandelson should never have been appointed as UK Ambassador to the United States.”
