Keir Starmer faces grilling after ‘dismissive’ declare and Peter Mandelson vetting row

Sir Keir Starmer is set to face Prime Minister’s Questions amid the ongoing fallout over Lord Peter Mandelson’s security vetting controversy, after a senior civil servant claimed there was an ‘atmosphere of pressure’

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Sir Keir Starmer is set to face a second round of questioning in the Commons this week over the ongoing controversy surrounding the vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson.

This follows comments from former Foreign Office head Sir Olly Robbins, who claimed there was a “dismissive approach” to vetting from No 10 and an “atmosphere of pressure” to push through Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US.

The Labour leader is likely to face tough questions at Prime Minister’s Questions today after Sir Olly defended his actions before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

The top civil servant was dismissed by the Prime Minister last week when it came to light that he had not informed him that Lord Mandelson was approved for the high-ranking diplomatic role despite security vetting officials advising against it.

On Monday, Sir Keir told the Commons that he had questioned Sir Olly about why he had disregarded the recommendation of UK Security Vetting (UKSV) and did not accept his explanation.

However, Sir Olly stated that it was standard practice not to disclose the results of the vetting process and described feeling pressured to approve the peer for the position.

When Sir Olly assumed leadership of the Foreign Office in January of last year, Lord Mandelson had already undergone the Cabinet Office’s “due diligence” process, received approval from the King and the US, and was being granted access to “highly classified briefings” on a case-by-case basis – even without his security clearance being confirmed, he said.

The Whitehall stalwart claimed this led to a “dismissive approach” to developed vetting from Downing Street for the rest of the process but maintained it was carried out to the usual standard “despite this atmosphere of pressure”.

No 10 has dismissed this, arguing there is a difference between “the idea of pressure” and “being kept informed about the process and the progress of the appointment”.

In the meantime, Dame Emily Thornberry hinted she might summon Sir Keir’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, before the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The senior Labour MP, who heads the committee, was asked by LBC if she would request the long-time Mandelson ally to appear and replied: “I am going to invite some other witnesses. It would probably be best if they heard that first from me rather than from you.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and the SNP have urged Labour to hold a vote of no confidence in Sir Keir.

Additionally, an inquiry into a leak is under way over the story being handed to media, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones confirmed.

Sir Olly had labelled it a “grievous breach of national security” that information was given to The Guardian after the Cabinet Office briefed Number 10 on the matter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves supported the decision to sack Sir Olly, telling an event that whether Lord Mandelson had passed vetting or not was “crucial information” that the mandarin should have told the Prime Minister.

She firmly stated there is “no Labour leadership contest” when questioned about potential threats to Sir Keir’s leadership.

At the same gathering, ex-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner suggested that Labour should take “bold action” to demonstrate to people how they are addressing the crisis related to the Iran war.

Despite media speculation that Ms Rayner recently met with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham amidst whispers of a leadership challenge, insiders close to Ms Rayner indicated her speech hinted she was open to resuming her role as a minister in Sir Keir’s Government.

Earlier, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confessed he had worried Lord Mandelson’s appointment would “blow up” and had discussed his apprehensions with then-foreign secretary David Lammy.

However, the former Labour leader expressed he did not believe Sir Keir should step down over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the position.

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