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Leaders from a number of the UK's major political parties have called on Sir Keir Starmer to resign after it emerged that Lord Peter Mandelson failed the vetting process for the US ambassador role, but was still given the job.

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty were joined by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, who confirmed Starmer will not be resigning amid the fallout. Starmer has been accused of misleading Parliament after admitting that Lord Mandelson was appointed US ambassador despite failing his security vetting.

It emerged yesterday that the disgraced peer failed the enhanced vetting process but was given the post anyway after civil servants dismissed the findings. Downing Street admitted this sequence of events, but insisted that neither the Prime Minister nor any other minister knew what had happened, instead blaming Foreign Office officials.

During Thursday's edition of the breakfast show, Stayt put Jones on the spot as he grilled the Labour MP on how much the government knew about Mandelson's appointment.

Stayt questioned: "Starmer told Parliament in relation to Peter Mandelson that full due process had been followed. I think he said that three times. Is that not misleading Parliament?"

Jones replied: "No. Because what I just explained to you about the process that existed until I changed last night, which was UK Security vetting undertake investigations into an individual's background. These are deeply personal investigations about there financial basis, there relationships past and present, particular personal views.

"Those documents are not shared with ministers. A recommendation is then made on whether to appoint them or not."

He claimed the decision was solely with the Foreign Office and they chose to "ignore the recommendation".

Stayt admitted he understood there were security issues but suggested it would be useful for someone from the Foreign Office or the Secret Service to confirm they didn't pass this information onto anyone at Downing Street.

A squirming Jones suggested the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary would be acocuntable to Parliament.

Stayt hit back: "I'm not sure that is the answer to the question I'm asking you. You are asking people to expect the prime minister would not tell an untruth?"

With a stunned expression, Jones stuttered, "There is not other circumstance outside of a courtroom where citizens are obliged to tell the truth and the whole truth on the public record. The prime minister and all ministers take that deeply seriously."