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Starmer unaware of Mandelson's security vetting failure, ministers claim
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would not have appointed Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States had he known the former minister failed security vetting, senior government figures have stated.
Downing Street under fire over undisclosed vetting concerns
Starmer faces mounting pressure after revelations that Mandelson's appointment proceeded despite security red flags. A No 10 spokesperson said the Foreign Office did not disclose the vetting failure to the prime minister's office.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Starmer was informed Mandelson had received developed vetting clearance. "If he had known UK security vetting had not cleared him, he would not have made that appointment," she said.
Opposition demands resignation over misleading Parliament claims
Starmer is set to address MPs on Monday amid calls for his resignation. Opposition parties accuse him of misleading Parliament, citing his earlier statements that due process was followed in Mandelson's appointment.
Kendall defended the delay in updating the Commons, stating, "One thing we've learned from this whole torrid episode is the need to get the facts absolutely clear and right."
Foreign Office under scrutiny over fast-tracked vetting
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who was foreign secretary at the time of Mandelson's appointment, said neither he nor his advisers were informed of the vetting failure. Lammy expressed shock at the dismissal of Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office's top civil servant, over the controversy.
Lammy noted that Robbins had been in the role for only a few weeks when the vetting report was returned, adding that "time pressures" existed to finalize Mandelson's appointment ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House.
Yvette Cooper, Lammy's successor as foreign secretary, confirmed Mandelson's vetting was prioritized but insisted full checks were conducted despite the accelerated process.
Civil servants and opposition react to Robbins' dismissal
Former senior civil servant Helen MacNamara criticized Robbins' sacking, stating, "There's still no information" about the vetting failure. She suggested officials may have believed Mandelson's risks were "priced in" and acted on the prime minister's wishes while attempting to mitigate security concerns.
Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart blamed Starmer directly, saying, "There's one person responsible for everything that's happened, and that's the prime minister."
Reform's Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick questioned Starmer's competence, calling him "totally unfit to lead this country." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the situation as a "catastrophic misjudgment."
Foreign Affairs Committee to re-examine evidence
Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said new revelations had "called into question" evidence Robbins provided to MPs in November, during which he did not disclose the security vetting agency's recommendation to deny Mandelson clearance.
Robbins is expected to appear before the committee on Tuesday, though sources say he has not yet formally accepted the invitation. His allies argue he was bound by the confidentiality of the vetting process.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a review of information provided to MPs to ensure its accuracy. Nick Dyer, a senior civil servant, has been appointed interim head of the Foreign Office following Robbins' departure.
Mandelson allies criticize Robbins' sacking
Sources close to Mandelson described Robbins' removal as "egregious." The BBC understands that the former minister's team believes the dismissal was unjustified.
