US Edition
Starmer was not aware Foreign Office overruled Mandelson's failed security vetting, government says
Officials overruled security advice to grant Peter Mandelson Developed Vetting, and ministers say they learned of the decision only this week.
- Downing Street confirmed Thursday that Peter Mandelson was initially denied "developed vetting" clearance by security officials in January 2025, but the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office to allow his appointment as US Ambassador.
- A government spokesperson stated that neither the Prime Minister nor any cabinet ministers were informed of this failure at the time, placing the responsibility on civil servants within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office .
- The revelation has triggered a political crisis, as Keir Starmer told a press conference in February 2025 that an "intensive exercise" by security services had given Mandelson "clearance for the role," leading to accusations that he lied to the public.
- Opposition parties, including the SNP and Reform UK, have called for the Prime Minister’s resignation, arguing that he either intentionally misled Parliament or demonstrated a catastrophic lack of oversight regarding the country's highest diplomatic appointment.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Bowen Island Undercurrent
Starmer says he is 'furious' he wasn't told Mandelson failed security checks
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he “absolutely furious” that he wasn’t told his scandal-tainted pick for U.K. ambassador to Washington had failed security checks before being appointed.
Starmer orders Foreign Office to explain after overruling Mandelson vetting
Sir Keir Starmer has previously insisted due process was followed in the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. Sir Keir Starmer has ordered the Foreign Office to explain how Lord Peter Mandelson was cleared to become UK ambassador to the US after it emerged the department had overruled a security vetting process. The Prime Minister was not aware that the former Labour grandee was granted developed vetting against the ad…
Britain’s PM Starmer was not ‘aware’ security vetting for former UK ambassador to US was overruled
Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the United States, failed his security vetting before taking up the role, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer was unaware that officials had overruled the recommendation, the government said Thursday.
Epstein Scandal: UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson Failed Security Vetting
Scandal-struck Epstein-linked Labour grandee was refused a security clearance but became British Ambassador to the U.S. anyway. The post Epstein Scandal: UK Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson Failed Security Vetting But Was Appointed by Starmer Anyway appeared first on Breitbart.
UK Security Vetting rejected Peter Mandelson's accreditation to ambassador to the United States. In 48 hours, the decision was reversed by the government and the British received "green light" to take office.
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