Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to deliver a high-stakes statement to MPs on Monday as he attempts to contain the fallout from the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. The controversy, which has already led to the sacking of Foreign Office top civil servant Olly Robbins, has raised questions about Starmer’s leadership.
The scandal, first reported by the Guardian, centres on how Mandelson was able to take up his role as UK ambassador to the United States despite the Foreign Office overruling a decision to fail his security vetting. Opposition party leaders have called for Starmer to resign, arguing he would not have proceeded with the appointment had he known the full details.
In his statement, Starmer is expected to make it “crystal clear” that he was kept in the dark about Mandelson’s vetting failure. He told the Daily Mirror that not being informed when he told Parliament due process had been followed was “unforgivable”. Downing Street has sought to counter claims that Robbins was legally prevented from informing ministers, stating that civil servants can flag vetting recommendations without revealing sensitive details.
Robbins, who was sacked after the revelations, is understood to be taking legal advice ahead of his appearance before the foreign affairs select committee on Tuesday. He is reportedly angry at his treatment and determined to present his side of the story, amid fears that the week could be make-or-break for Starmer’s premiership.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy defended Starmer, warning against an “internally focused” governing party and calling for stability. He dismissed speculation of a leadership contest following expected poor local election results for Labour in May, arguing that the electorate would not thank the party for changing leaders during a global crisis.
