Sources at GB News have claimed that messages between Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer are being withheld.
GB News was halted for a breaking announcement (Image: Getty)
GB News host Ellie Costello challenged Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds over freshly released documents exposing Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden’s messages to Peter Mandelson on this morning’s programme. A breaking news banner flashed across the screen as Costello probed the minister over the messages from inside government, revealing criticism of Keir Starmer.
Former US ambassador Mandelson said Starmer’s team was “beleaguered and bereft” in messages to McFadden last July. Delivering the breaking update to viewers, Costello said: “I think the most revealing parts of these messages between Peter Mandelson and Pat McFadden, who we often have on GB News Breakfast. He’s very experienced, he’s very respected, and he has admitted that in every single meeting, the main question is, ‘Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?’
Ellie Costello grilled the minister on GB News about the Mandelson messages (Image: GB NEWS)
When she asked if Labour was “just the welfare party”, Thomas-Symonds replied: “No, we are not. Just to say, these are embarrassing messages that are coming out. I am not shying away from it or hiding it.
“These were not meant for public consumption, but the Government has taken compliance with the humble address. Being open and transparent is very important indeed, and that’s why they are out in the public domain.”
Thomas-Symonds, who has worked with McFadden for many years, added: “For him, it is not about benefits, it’s about opportunity and how we give people opportunities.”
The minister then showed his support towards McFadden tackling the issue of youth unemployment, but viewers were not convinced.
One wrote on X: “It’s obvious that @Keir_Starmer and this Labour government are the welfare party. What this Labour government is not is the party of business and economic growth. With three more years of this Labour government, the economy will be a basket case.”
A second penned: “The gaslighting continues unabated. Labour had and still has no plans for the economy. Tax or Borrow or cut waste/reform, these are the levers you pull.”
However, a third said: ” General election now, then the new government needs to cancel all the tax hikes and benefits given to every illegal immigrant and then boot them out
