Keir Starmer expressed his anger towards officials who failed to inform him about Peter Mandelson’s vetting issues during a heated session in the Commons. The Prime Minister criticized the Foreign Office for withholding crucial information and apologized once again for appointing Lord Mandelson as the US ambassador. Starmer asserted that had he been aware of the full extent of the vetting problems, he would have revoked Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
He revealed that officials had granted Lord Mandelson developed vetting clearance against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting, and this information was not shared with top government officials. Starmer condemned the deliberate decision to keep him in the dark about the vetting failure, emphasizing that transparency and accountability in government are vital.
In an upcoming meeting, Starmer plans to shift the focus to addressing the cost of living, particularly in light of the impact of the Iran conflict on domestic issues. A source from No10 emphasized Starmer’s commitment to supporting working families amid economic challenges.
The spotlight may shift to Sir Olly Robbins, whom Starmer dismissed as Foreign Office permanent secretary recently. Sir Olly will have the opportunity to present his perspective to the Foreign Affairs Committee, potentially posing a political risk for the Prime Minister.
A close associate of Sir Olly described him as deeply affected by the situation, highlighting his dedication to public service and integrity. Despite facing criticism for his decision to dismiss Sir Olly, Starmer defended his actions, citing a disagreement over the handling of the vetting recommendation.
Starmer reiterated his regret for appointing Lord Mandelson and acknowledged his mistake in the matter, extending apologies to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. A Labour MP praised Starmer’s handling of the situation and raised concerns about the relationship between the government and non-elected civil service officials.
The issue of the leaked appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador and subsequent vetting concerns raised questions about the government’s priorities and security considerations. The day saw further drama in the Commons, with two MPs being ejected for their conduct during the session.
