No 10 ‘did not know’ of aide’s links to paedophile when he was given peerage

The British government confirmed on February 11, 2026, that Downing Street was unaware of Matthew Doyle’s past support for convicted sex offender Sean Morton when the former communications chief was nominated for a life peerage. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds defended the vetting process in the House of Commons after it emerged that Doyle had provided a character reference for Morton, a local councillor, during a 2017 trial involving the possession of indecent images of children. The controversy surfaced as Doyle, a key advisor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, prepares to take a seat in the House of Lords, sparking a heated political debate regarding the thoroughness of the House of Lords Appointments Commission’s background checks. Opposition members have raised significant concerns about why this information did not come to light during the formal scrutiny period prior to the peerage announcement. Minister Thomas-Symonds emphasized that the government followed all standard procedures and that the independent commission is responsible for evaluating the propriety of nominees. He maintained that the Prime Minister acted in good faith based on the recommendations and clearance provided by the relevant authorities, noting that the specific details of the character reference were not part of the briefing material provided to the leadership at the time of the appointment. The fallout from these revelations has placed pressure on the Labour administration to review its internal vetting protocols for political appointments. While Doyle has long been considered a central figure in Keir Starmer’s inner circle, responsible for shaping the party’s communications strategy, the link to the Morton case has offered a window of criticism for the Conservative opposition. Critics argue that the oversight suggests a failure in due diligence, while supporters of the government insist that the focus should remain on Doyle’s extensive professional record in public service rather than an isolated character reference provided nearly a decade ago.