Starmer Accuses Foreign Office Officials of Concealing Lord Mandelson's Failed Vetting for US Ambassador Role

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Foreign Office officials of intentionally concealing Lord Mandelson's initial failure to clear security vetting for the US ambassador role. Speaking to MPs, Sir Keir stated he would not have proceeded with the appointment had he known the specialist agency, UK Security Vetting, recommended denying clearance on 28 January 2025.

This disclosure follows Sir Keir's revelation last Tuesday that Foreign Office officials had overruled the security recommendation. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has since demanded the Prime Minister's resignation, alleging he misled the House of Commons by previously asserting that "full due process" was followed. Sir Keir maintains he did not mislead Parliament.

Lord Mandelson was announced as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024, formally commencing the role on 10 February 2025. He was subsequently dismissed seven months later due to documented associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir confirmed that the Foreign Office's most senior civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, was effectively removed from his post on Thursday following a news investigation into the department's decision.

Sir Keir highlighted multiple occasions where the information should have been shared, including during the appointment itself, Lord Mandelson's sacking, and when a review of the vetting process was initiated. He described the omission as "absolutely unforgivable" regarding Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and "frankly staggering" in relation to his own review.

Labour MPs, including Dame Emily Thornberry and Chris Hinchliff, have questioned the process. Hinchliff suggested potential "political pressure from Number 10 to advance a man who a particular faction in the Labour Party has looked to for moral and spiritual leadership for years." Sir Keir denies any Downing Street pressure. The Foreign Office's authority to make final decisions on security clearance was suspended last week, and Sir Keir has since implemented a policy requiring security clearance before ambassadorial appointments are announced.