Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, is set to be questioned by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee next Tuesday over allegations that Downing Street pressured the Foreign Office to approve Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. The rare appearance comes amid a deepening scandal over Mandelson's security vetting.
Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Olly Robbins, who was sacked after revealing vetting concerns were overruled, told MPs that No 10 had a 'dismissive' attitude towards security vetting. Robbins claimed an 'atmosphere of pressure' made it impossible to deny clearance for Mandelson. McSweeney has denied knowing about the vetting failure.
The committee has also summoned other key officials, including former permanent secretary Philip Barton, security director Ian Collard, and Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little. Little is expected to explain why she did not inform Starmer immediately upon learning of the vetting failure in March.
McSweeney resigned in February, taking 'full responsibility' for advising the prime minister to appoint Mandelson. The scandal has dominated Prime Minister's Questions, with Starmer facing criticism from opposition leaders. Starmer insisted Robbins's evidence 'puts to bed all the allegations' but confirmed that discussions had taken place about an ambassadorial role for his former communications chief Matthew Doyle.
