Question Time audience members began heckling as a Labour politician was asked about Sir Keir Starmer's future. The Prime Minister is facing calls to quit amid accusations he misled MPs after it emerged that Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador despite failing the security vetting.

Sir Keir, who has insisted he was not aware until earlier this week, has previously insisted due process was followed in the appointment and the peer had clearance for the plum Washington job. BBC host Fiona Bruce asked Welsh Labour politician Huw Irranca-Davies if Sir Keir should resign if he misled MPs.

Wales's deputy first minister replied: "The story is breaking as we've come on air so I haven't the full details of it but what I do understand so far is that the decision was taken by the Foreign Office but it wasn't raised up to the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary either."

He then added: "The focus also has to be on the victims of Epstein".

Bruce pressed him: "I'm asking a very simple question, there is no debate the victims are at the heart of this, but the question has been raised tonight about whether Keir Starmer has misled Parliament and if he has should he resign, what do you think? "

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "The question is where he or the Foreign Secretary were aware, we need to see the facts fully because the story is breaking as we're sitting here."

Welsh Lib Dem leader then cut in: "Is it not a yes or a no?"

At that point, audience members shouted out: "Yes or no?"

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "So what I would say is very straight on this, let's get to the bottom of the facts first of all..."

As he was speaking, an audience member could be heard shouting: "He's lied!"

Mr Irranca-Davies went on: "Rather than leap to a conclusion."

It comes after The Guardian reported that security officials initially denied Lord Mandelson clearance, but the Prime Minister had already named him as Britain's top diplomat in the US, and the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.

The Tories, Reform UK, the Lib Dems and the Greens have all called for Sir Keir to resign.

Lord Mandelson, a political appointment rather than a career diplomat, was sacked from his Washington role last September when more details emerged about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.