Rishi Sunak has criticised Sir Keir Starmer, asserting that his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador constituted a "grave lapse of political judgment." In an opinion piece published in The Times, Sunak cautioned the government against prioritising procedural matters over sound political judgment in the aftermath of the controversy.
Background of the Vetting Scandal
Starmer had previously appointed Sir Adrian Fulford to conduct a review of security vetting decisions, expressing surprise that he had not been informed of Mandelson's failed clearance. The Labour leader now faces substantial political pressure, with a potential Commons vote looming and an inquiry into whether he misled parliament regarding the vetting process.
Political Fallout
Sir Lindsay Hoyle is expected to address requests for a Privileges Committee investigation into the matter. Additionally, Starmer's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is due to be questioned by MPs as part of the ongoing scrutiny.
In his article, Sunak emphasised the need for accountability, stating that Starmer must take responsibility for the vetting scandal and its implications for national security and public trust.
