Lord Matthew Doyle, formerly the communications chief for Keir Starmer, has faced suspension from the Labour Party over his links to Sean Morton, a convicted sex offender. Morton, an ex-Labour councillor in Moray, Scotland, was charged in December 2016 with possessing indecent images of children and later admitted to this crime in November 2017. The association has raised serious concerns about Doyle's judgment and has prompted his suspension within the party.

Doyle actively campaigned for Morton when he ran as an independent candidate in the May 2017 elections, further complicating his position within Labour. Following the backlash from this revelation, Doyle has apologized for his previous support of the convicted councillor, reaffirming that he will no longer take the Labour whip. His suspension reflects the party's stance on safeguarding and accountability, particularly regarding its members' associations.

The incident not only affects Doyle's political career but also raises questions about Labour's processes for vetting candidates and the responsibilities of party officials in their associations. It underscores the importance of maintaining ethical standards and the potential ramifications when those standards are not met, particularly in light of serious criminal offenses like those committed by Morton. The Labour Party's swift action in this situation illustrates its commitment to addressing issues of misconduct and protecting its reputation.