A high-ranking government official is under scrutiny regarding the vetting process for Lord Peter Mandelson, leading to increased pressure on Keir Starmer over the appointment.
Cat Little, the top Cabinet Office official, is currently testifying before the Foreign Affairs Committee to address the procedures that allowed the controversial peer to receive clearance.
The Prime Minister recently dismissed Sir Olly Robbins after learning that the Foreign Office had sent Lord Mandelson to Washington without informing him, despite security concerns raised during the vetting process.
During the hearing, Little defended her decision not to disclose certain information, criticizing No10 for its handling of vetting procedures and alleging undue pressure to expedite the appointment.
Following the live coverage, Little faced questions beyond her scope, indicating the end of the session while promising further reactions and analysis.
Keir Starmer has accused political rivals of exploiting the Mandelson scandal to disrupt the government, asserting Cabinet unity.
Little revealed that, after Sir Olly’s refusal to share vetting details, she directly sought information from security officials, emphasizing her responsibility to advise the Prime Minister effectively.
She justified her delay in informing the PM by citing the need for legal advice to handle sensitive security information appropriately.
Little informed the Committee that she became aware of the Mandelson vetting issues in late March and promptly notified the Prime Minister in mid-April, claiming she acted swiftly and appropriately.
Regarding claims by Sir Olly Robbins and the release of sensitive documents, Little refrained from commenting to avoid compromising vetting confidentiality.
She maintained that due process was followed in Lord Mandelson’s appointment, highlighting the roles of UK Security Vetting and the Foreign Office in decision-making.
Little also explained her unsuccessful attempt to access critical documents from the Foreign Office related to Mandelson’s clearance, signaling potential lack of cooperation in the process.
Additionally, she clarified her limited involvement in Mandelson’s appointment and emphasized the usual practice of seeking advice among departments.
The session concluded with Little addressing claims of Cabinet split over the Mandelson scandal, dismissing them as baseless and emphasizing government unity.
In an ongoing effort to manage fallout from the scandal, Keir Starmer’s former aide, Morgan McSweeney, is set to testify before MPs, marking the Prime Minister’s continued response to the controversy.
In a separate development, Catherine Little, the senior civil servant, faces questioning about the vetting process for Lord Mandelson as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer over the appointment.