A Guardian investigation has revealed that Peter Mandelson failed a security vetting process before taking up his role as UK ambassador to the US, but the Foreign Office overruled the decision. The disclosure has led to the departure of Sir Olly Robbins, the top civil servant at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), after the prime minister lost confidence in him.
Mandelson failed a developed vetting check in January 2025, according to multiple sources. Despite the recommendation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV), FCDO officials used a rarely invoked authority to grant clearance. Downing Street insisted that Keir Starmer was unaware of the vetting advice until earlier this week, and that responsibility lay with the FCDO.
In a letter co-signed with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper in September, Robbins told MPs that vetting had been conducted to the usual standard. However, it has now emerged that Mandelson's failure to secure approval was not publicly disclosed, despite the release of 147 pages of documents. Senior officials have also considered withholding further documents from parliament, which could breach a motion to release all papers related to the appointment.
The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, and Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, have called for the prime minister to take responsibility if he misled parliament. Starmer is expected to face questions over whether he misled the public when he stated that Mandelson had received clearance for the role. The decision to overrule UKSV was taken by officials in the FCDO, though it remains unclear who specifically made the call.
