At least two senior civil servants were aware weeks ago that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting for the US ambassador role but delayed informing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Sources confirm they awaited legal clearance on what details could be disclosed before briefing the prime minister.
Legal Delays Blocked Immediate Disclosure
A Cabinet Office spokesperson explained that Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo and Permanent Secretary Catherine Little attended a meeting with Sir Keir on Tuesday evening where the prime minister was finally briefed on Lord Mandelson’s failed vetting. The spokesperson said senior officials acted properly by seeking urgent legal advice to ensure the information could be shared appropriately.
“Upon receiving the UK security vetting report, the Cabinet Office permanent secretary swiftly sought legal and other guidance to confirm the proper way to inform the prime minister,” the spokesperson detailed. “Once these checks were complete, the prime minister was updated.”
Starmer Faces Political Storm Amid Vetting Scandal
Sir Keir now confronts a critical week amid mounting pressure over the vetting controversy. Downing Street has pinned blame on Foreign Office officials for approving Lord Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment in January 2025 despite his failure to pass security clearance.
The Foreign Office’s top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, was dismissed Thursday night after losing the confidence of both Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper over the unfolding scandal. A Number 10 document revealed the prime minister was unaware of a recommendation against granting Mandelson security clearance—an advisory that the Foreign Office ultimately overruled. Sir Keir only learned about this on Tuesday.
Prime Minister’s Furious Reaction
Sir Keir vowed to present “all relevant facts with full transparency” to Parliament on Monday. He expressed outrage Friday, calling it “absolutely furious” and “staggering” that he had not been informed the vetting process was bypassed to clear Lord Mandelson.
“No minister was told he had failed security vetting, Number 10 wasn’t told—this is completely unacceptable,” the prime minister stated emphatically. He condemned officials, declaring: “It is totally unacceptable that the prime minister, who makes the appointment, is not informed that security vetting has failed.”
Top Officials and Opposition Respond
Despite the backlash, Sir Keir is neither resigning nor reconsidering his position, according to Downing Street. Former Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the failure to inform the prime minister as “inexplicable,” saying he was “shocked and surprised” upon learning the details last week.
Lammy, now Justice Secretary and deputy prime minister, asserted, “Had the prime minister known Peter Mandelson had failed vetting, he would never have appointed him ambassador.”
Sky News reports that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper only discovered Mandelson’s vetting failure last Thursday after journalists approached her. Sir Olly Robbins faces summons to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee as soon as next Tuesday.
The committee released correspondence showing Ms. Cooper requested a “full review” of all information the Foreign Office provided, stressing the “paramount importance” of accuracy.
Calls for Resignation Intensify
Opposition leaders have united in demanding Sir Keir’s resignation. Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister of misleading Parliament and the public. Scottish National Party Westminster leader Stephen Flynn urged Sir Keir to “do the decent thing and resign,” suggesting the prime minister is “either incompetent, gullible, or a liar.”
Background: Mandelson’s Controversial Appointment
Lord Mandelson was dismissed from his Washington post last September after fresh revelations surfaced about his ties to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019. The former Labour cabinet minister has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and apologized to the victims.
Sir Keir had already faced severe criticism for appointing Mandelson, despite knowledge that his connections with Epstein persisted after Epstein’s conviction for child sex offenses.
