Keir Starmer is expected to admit he inadvertently gave MPs misleading information about Peter Mandelson’s vetting when he addresses the Commons.
But his spokesperson said the prime minister would “never knowingly mislead parliament or the public” and that he was himself misled.
Starmer is to address parliament on Monday afternoon after days of pressure over the Guardian’s revelation that Mandelson failed secured vetting before he took up his post as US ambassador. In September, he said at prime minister’s questions that “full due process” was followed, with opposition leaders saying he misled parliament and should correct the record.
Starmer’s spokesperson said on Monday: “This information should have been provided to parliament. It should have been provided to him [Starmer], it should have been provided to other government ministers … But he clearly did not have this information – that is the crucial fact – he clearly did not have this information when he previously spoke to parliament.”