Keir Starmer expressed his frustration at being kept unaware of Peter Mandelson’s vetting failure by officials during a heated session in the Commons. The Prime Minister criticized the Foreign Office for withholding crucial information and once again apologized for appointing Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. Starmer emphasized that he would have revoked Lord Mandelson’s appointment if he had been fully informed about the vetting process.
He revealed that officials had granted Lord Mandelson developed vetting clearance against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting, and this information was not shared with key government figures. Starmer condemned the deliberate decision to conceal the vetting failure from senior ministers, stating that it goes against public expectations of transparency and accountability in politics and governance.
In an upcoming meeting, Starmer plans to shift focus to addressing the rising cost of living amidst the Middle East crisis. A source from No10 affirmed Starmer’s commitment to supporting families facing financial challenges. However, attention may shift to Sir Olly Robbins, who was recently dismissed by Starmer as Foreign Office permanent secretary, as he prepares to provide testimony to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
A close associate of Sir Olly described him as distressed by the situation, highlighting his dedication to public service and integrity. Despite facing criticism, Starmer defended his decision to dismiss Sir Olly, citing a disagreement over the handling of the vetting process. He reiterated his regret for appointing Lord Mandelson and acknowledged the impact on the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
A Labour MP commended Starmer’s handling of the situation and raised concerns about the relationship between elected officials and civil servants. While responding to queries, Starmer did not address allegations that No10 was pressured into confirming Lord Mandelson’s appointment following a leak. The day’s events also saw two MPs being ejected from the Commons amid heated exchanges.
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