Peter Mandelson's appointment as British ambassador to Washington was deeply flawed, and the Foreign Office should have intervened to stop it, according to Richard Dearlove, the former head of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). In a scathing opinion piece, Dearlove argues that the decision to appoint Mandelson without proper security clearance could cost Prime Minister Keir Starmer his job.
Vetting and Security Concerns
Dearlove explains that the role of British ambassador in Washington requires a developed vetting (DV) certificate, which demands integrity, honesty, and transparency. Mandelson's professional life, however, was fraught with questions over his integrity, including past ministerial resignations, dealings with Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, connections with Chinese figures, and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The vetting process recommended against granting the DV, but the new Foreign Office permanent secretary, Olly Robbins, chose not to oppose the appointment. Dearlove criticizes this decision, stating that Robbins should have alerted the foreign secretary to the problem rather than trying to manage the risk.
Political Fallout
Dearlove predicts that the political fallout will be profound, as the episode has damaged both Mandelson's reputation and Starmer's judgment. He notes that voters now understand the deficit of good judgment in the prime minister's office, a malaise that extends beyond the current incumbent.
The article concludes by warning that the house of Starmer is tottering on shallow foundations, and the decision to appoint Mandelson could be a costly misjudgment.
