No10 was rocked by the revelation that the disgraced peer had been rejected by security officials before his appointment as the UK’s representative in Washington
Peter Mandelson was appointed as the UK’s ‘Trump whisperer’ despite failing his security vetting, the Government has admitted in a huge blow to Keir Starmer.
No10 has insisted that the PM was not informed that security officials had rejected Mandelson’s clearance before he was dispatched to Washington last year. It emerged on Thursday that officials in the Foreign Office took the extraordinary step of overruling the decision so the appointment could go ahead.
Downing Street said in a statement that the PM was unaware until this week, and had planned to update the Commons. The extraordinary chain of events, first reported by The Guardian, has been met with anger by MPs, with the Foreign Office facing calls to explain itself.
And speaking to reporters in Washington DC, Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to suggest Mr Starmer and former Foreign Secretary David Lammy should have known. She said: “I didn’t know anything about the vetting process. I’m the Chancellor, I’m not the Foreign Secretary, and I’m not 10 Downing Street, so I can’t give you any more information on that.”
A government spokesman said no ministers were aware, pointing the finger at mandarins in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). In a statement No10 said: “The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO. The decision to grant Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO.
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“Neither the Prime Minister, nor any Government Minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.
“Once the Prime Minister was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the Developed Vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.”
Mr Starmer has vowed to be transparent, and the Government is committed to releasing all documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment. In a landmark vote forced by the Tories, MPs backed a humble address demanding the files are released.
The statement continued: “The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full as soon as possible. Any documentation within the scope of the Humble Address that requires redaction on the basis of national security or international relations will be provided to the ISC. This will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting.”
Dame Emily Thornberry called for MPs to be told the truth after it was reported that Lord Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting but was still appointed ambassador to the US. The senior Labour MP and chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs select committee posted on X: “My committee asked several times whether red flags had been raised by Peter Mandelson’s vetting process.
“It seems there were. Who overrode these concerns? Why were we kept in the dark? People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.”