Foreign Secretary Reed has publicly criticised the government's vetting procedures, stating they failed to properly flag the extent of Peter Mandelson's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
Process Under Scrutiny
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Reed placed blame squarely on what he described as "a long-established process that was gone through in the same way that it would have been for any other appointment of this kind." He emphasised that this vetting system predates the current government's arrival in office.
Information Gap
Reed explained that decisions about appointments can only be made based on information available at the time, and he accused Mandelson of deliberately misleading officials. "Mandelson lied and covered up the extent of his relationship," Reed stated. "He made out the relationship was over and that it had barely ever existed. We now know that was not the case."
The Foreign Secretary revealed that had the true nature of Mandelson's connection to Epstein been known during the vetting process, it would have "ruled him out completely" from consideration for the prestigious diplomatic posting.
Personal Impact
Earlier in the day during an interview with Sky News, Reed expressed his personal reaction to learning about Mandelson's Epstein connections, saying the revelations had felt like he had "been punched in the stomach."
Looking Forward
While defending the decision made with information available at the time, Reed acknowledged the need for reform. "Clearly, we need to look at that vetting process," he told the Today programme, suggesting that the system requires examination and potential overhaul following this high-profile oversight.
Mandelson's appointment was initially justified based on his extensive political experience as former EU trade commissioner and UK business secretary, qualifications that now appear overshadowed by questions about his judgment and transparency regarding his Epstein association.
