Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to urgently address Parliament to "correct the record" regarding his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, following revelations that he falsely claimed the peer underwent "intensive security vetting." This development comes after No. 10 confirmed that Mandelson actually failed his security checks, contradicting Starmer's earlier assertions.
False Statements and Mounting Pressure
In a press conference in East Sussex on February 5, a flustered Starmer incorrectly attributed Mandelson's appointment to independent security vetting services, stating it was "an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role." He added that both due diligence and security vetting needed re-examination. However, it has now emerged that the Foreign Office proceeded with Mandelson's appointment against the explicit advice of vetting officials, who denied him clearance due to his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Westminster Fury and Resignation Demands
The scandal has ignited widespread fury across Westminster, with political parties including the Tories, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and Green Party calling for Starmer's resignation over allegations he misled Parliament. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of betraying national security, stating, "The PM appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed. Starmer then said full due process was followed. THAT is misleading Parliament." Reform's Nigel Farage echoed this, claiming the Prime Minister "blatantly lied" and should resign.
Downing Street insists that neither Starmer nor any government minister was aware of the vetting failure until Tuesday evening, at which point the Prime Minister immediately ordered a Whitehall probe. The information only became public when The Guardian published explosive claims on Thursday afternoon, revealing that security officials initially denied clearance, but the Foreign Office overruled the recommendation.
Internal Fallout and Investigation
There are claims that Olly Robbins, the senior civil servant at the Foreign Office and architect of Theresa May's Brexit deal, is being lined up as a scapegoat. The Foreign Office has stated it is working urgently to comply with Starmer's demand to understand how Mandelson was cleared. A government spokesperson clarified that the decision to grant Developed Vetting against UK Security Vetting's advice was taken by FCDO officials, without ministerial knowledge.
The government is committed to disclosing all documents related to Mandelson's appointment, with the Intelligence and Security Committee overseeing redactions for national security. A Foreign Office spokesperson added, "The PM has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process." It is understood that such vetting recommendations are non-binding on government departments.
Broader Implications and Political Fallout
This scandal piles immense pressure on Starmer's leadership, with accusations of misleading Parliament over "full due process" in Mandelson's appointment. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey joined calls for resignation, stating, "Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement. Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go." The revelations underscore significant lapses in security protocols and transparency within the government.
