Summary
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of misleading Parliament about the vetting process for Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK ambassador to the US. Reports say Mandelson failed the official security checks, but the Foreign Office allowed him to take the role anyway.
Key Facts
- Lord Mandelson was announced as UK ambassador to the US in December 2024 and started the role in February 2025.
- A security vetting process called developed vetting, done by UK Security Vetting, initially denied Mandelson clearance in January 2025.
- The Foreign Office overruled the vetting decision and allowed Mandelson to become ambassador.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the appointment followed full due process and security clearance was given.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says the Prime Minister misled MPs during Parliamentary questioning.
- The Ministerial Code expects ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament to resign.
- Several political leaders, including Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party, have called for the Prime Minister’s resignation.
- Lord Mandelson was previously removed from the ambassador position over his connections to the late convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein.
