A Guardian investigation has uncovered that Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, failed a security vetting process in January 2025, but the Foreign Office overruled the decision to deny him clearance. The top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, has been forced out following the disclosure.
Keir Starmer had announced Mandelson's appointment as the UK's chief diplomat in Washington before the vetting failure came to light. The Foreign Office used a rarely invoked authority to override the recommendation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV), a division of the Cabinet Office that scrutinises prospective civil servants.
Downing Street insisted that the prime minister had no knowledge of the security officials' advice against granting clearance, and said responsibility lay with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Robbins was told he had to resign after Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper lost confidence in him.
The Guardian understands that senior government officials have been considering whether to withhold from parliament documents that would reveal Mandelson was not given vetting approval. Any attempt to withhold documents from the Intelligence and Security Committee could breach a parliamentary motion to release all papers relating to Mandelson's appointment.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the government was committed to complying with the parliamentary motion, but documents requiring redaction on national security grounds would be provided to the ISC. The revelation raises questions about Starmer's judgment and whether he misled the public in remarks stating that Mandelson had been given clearance for the role.
