Sir Keir Starmer nominated a former adviser for a peerage despite knowing he had campaigned for a Labour councillor facing child sex abuse charges, it has been claimed. 

Matthew Doyle, who served as the Prime Minister's spin chief until March, is set to take a seat in the House of Lords early next year. 

When he left the role, Sir Keir paid tribute to Mr Doyle, 50, for having 'worked tirelessly by my side every day' since summer 2021.

However, it has now been alleged that No10 backed the former top aide for a peerage despite having investigated his previous support for paedophile Sean Morton. 

The former councillor from Moray, northeast Scotland, was charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children in December 2016.

He was suspended from the Labour party when he appeared in court - and was convicted of crimes including the possession of several pictures of naked girls as young as ten in December 2017.

Regardless of the accusations, Mr Doyle campaigned for Morton when he ran as an independent candidate in May 2017, The Sunday Times has reported. 

It is alleged that the ex-aide, who also worked as a spokesman for Sir Tony Blair, knocked on doors wearing a T-shirt with the slogan 'Re-elect Sean Morton' on it. 

Matthew Doyle (pictured) who served as the Prime Minister's spin chief until March is set to take a seat in the House of Lords early next year

Sean Morton (pictured) was charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children in December 2016

According to the newspaper's report, Mr Doyle also accompanied Morton to the election count - where the councillor came fifth and lost his seat. 

Then in August 2017, the pair posed for a photograph outside a cafe in Glasgow, with the image uploaded onto social media. 

It is understood that Downing Street was aware of the connection between the two men and launched an internal investigation. 

However, No10 reportedly concluded that the past acquaintance did not constitute a barrier to Mr Doyle obtaining a seat in the House of Lords. 

No further details of the investigation have been disclosed.  

A spokesperson for Downing Street said: 'Questions regarding Matthew Doyle's past acquaintance with Sean Morton were thoroughly investigated, including through several interviews with Matthew Doyle, prior to his appointment [to the Lords].'

Mr Doyle told the Sunday Times he 'regrets' supporting Morton and that he was 'maintaining his innocence [of the charges] at the time'.