Downing Street Knew of Mandelson's Failed Vetting Seven Months Before PM Claims
Downing Street was aware that Labour peer Peter Mandelson had failed MI6 security vetting for the role of US ambassador seven months before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer claims to have learned about it, according to revelations from The Independent.
September Revelation Ignored
This publication first reported on 11 September last year that MI6 had declined to clear Lord Mandelson for the diplomatic position, primarily due to concerns about his extensive business connections with China. These security concerns were formally presented to Number 10 at that time.
Despite this, the then-director of communications, Tim Allen, responded by stating that "vetting done by FCDO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] in normal way." This response now appears to contradict Downing Street's current position that the prime minister remained unaware until this week.
PM's 'Furious' Response
Sir Keir Starmer has expressed outrage about the situation, describing it as "staggering" and "unforgivable" that he was not informed earlier. The prime minister insists he only became aware of the failed vetting this week when official documents detailing Mandelson's appointment surfaced.
"That I wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting when he was appointed is staggering," Sir Keir told reporters on Friday. "That I wasn't told that he had failed security vetting when I was telling Parliament that due process had been followed is unforgivable."
Opposition Accusations of Cover-Up
Tory shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart has accused Downing Street of dishonesty regarding the timeline of events. "Downing Street was told in September - by no lesser authority than The Independent - that Mandelson had failed his vetting," he stated. "For the PM to pretend now that he didn't know beggars belief. This is cover-up after cover-up, lie after lie."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage echoed these sentiments, asserting that "nothing the prime minister has said adds up" and calling for his resignation over the matter.
Security Protocol Breach
According to established government protocol, any significant security concerns regarding diplomatic appointments should have been communicated privately between the head of MI6, the foreign secretary, and the prime minister. Downing Street now claims that Foreign Secretary Olly Robbins failed to follow this procedure, resulting in his dismissal last night.
However, this explanation does not address why Number 10 officials who were informed by The Independent in September did not escalate the matter to the prime minister at that time.
Multiple Red Flags Ignored
Former Tory foreign secretary James Cleverly, who has extensive experience with diplomatic appointments, emphasized that officials would have presented multiple concerns about Lord Mandelson to the foreign secretary and prime minister. These would have included:
- Mandelson's two previous resignations from government positions in disgrace
- His longstanding relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein
- His complex and opaque commercial interests, particularly with China
Cleverly asserted that officials would have "unambiguously advised" against appointing Mandelson to the sensitive diplomatic post.
Political Fallout Continues
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel, drawing on her experience with security briefings as former home secretary, described the revelations as "extraordinary." She stated that appointing Mandelson despite security service concerns demonstrated "a blatant disregard of all national security considerations."
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded immediate release of all documents related to Mandelson's appointment, questioning Sir Keir Starmer's judgment in the matter.
The prime minister has promised to address Parliament on Monday to provide what he calls "true transparency" about the situation, though opposition parties remain sceptical about the government's version of events given the seven-month gap between The Independent's initial report and Downing Street's claimed awareness.
