The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has strongly criticised the Government for applying redactions 'far too broadly' to documents concerning the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States. The committee, which oversees the UK's intelligence agencies, announced on Friday that it had made final decisions on national security-related redactions to 337 documents linked to the appointment.
ISC Raises Concerns Over Non-Security Redactions
In a statement, the ISC expressed concerns that redactions were being applied beyond what was permitted by the House of Commons motion demanding the documents. The committee noted that the motion only allowed redactions on grounds of prejudice to UK national security and international relations. However, it found that redactions were also being made for reasons such as protecting personal data, email addresses, and identities of junior civil servants, which it deemed 'far too broadly' applied.
The committee accused the Government of withholding documents without proper authority, specifically pointing to a vetting file compiled by UK Security Vetting (UKSV) that was not released. Last month, it emerged that UKSV had recommended against granting Lord Mandelson developed vetting clearance, but the Foreign Office overruled this advice.
Failure to Adhere to Security Advice
The ISC criticised the Government's 'failure to adhere to security advice', stating: 'Where advice is sought and obtained by those organisations whose job it is to ensure security, for that advice to be overruled to suit some other objective is not acceptable. Proper security concerns cannot be dismissed simply because they are inconvenient.' The committee noted that it had raised similar concerns with the previous government.
The ISC also highlighted broader issues with Government operations, including the extensive use of WhatsApp for conducting business, the lack of an audit trail for decisions, and the use of less secure IT systems, which it described as 'appalling'.
Political Reactions
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart accused the Government of a 'cover-up', stating: 'It is outrageous that Labour are trying to withhold documents about the Mandelson-Epstein affair from Parliament. Throughout this process Starmer and his ministers have sought to pull the wool over the public and Parliament's eyes. They only started releasing information because the Conservatives forced them to, and even now they are continuing the cover-up.'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the refusal to release Lord Mandelson's vetting file 'reeks', adding: 'What could be worse than what we've already seen? The Prime Minister must make use of what could be his last days in office to personally intervene and make sure we get the truth.'
Government Response
A Cabinet Office spokesperson responded: 'The Government takes its obligations to Parliament and the protection of our national security extremely seriously. We have been clear that the public deserve transparency and we are committed to complying with the Humble Address in full. Redactions will only be made where necessary and in a way which is transparent to the House. We are working to publish as much material as we can, as soon as possible.'
