Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDavid Maddox, Kate Devlin, Dan Haygarth & Athena StavrouWednesday 29 April 2026 07:57 BSTStarmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affairSir Keir Starmer has offered Angela Rayner a Cabinet return to avert a potential leadership challenge, according to a report in The Telegraph.Ms Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, left Cabinet in September after admitting to underpaying stamp duty on her new flat in Hove.The offer comes amid reports of a possible coup, with Ms Rayner, Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband, and Wes Streeting named as potential contenders.Labour successfully blocked a 'sleaze' inquiry related to Peter Mandelson by 335 votes to 223, providing Sir Keir with a reprieve from the scandal.Sir Keir is expected to face further questions from Conservative MPs regarding Lord Mandelson during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions.Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in