Key points from Starmer's Mandelson statement
Summary
Sir Keir Starmer defended his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US despite security clearance concerns. The prime minister criticized the Foreign Office for not informing him earlier about problems with Mandelson's vetting, and he ordered a review of any security risks during Mandelson’s tenure.Key Facts
- Lord Mandelson received security clearance in January 2025, against official recommendations.
- Mandelson started the ambassador role the next month and was removed after seven months due to links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- The Foreign Office authorized Mandelson’s clearance despite vetting concerns.
- The prime minister said Foreign Office officials failed several times to inform him about these issues.
- There was also an alleged deliberate decision to withhold vetting information from parliamentary inquiries.
- Sir Keir accepts vetting details must remain confidential but believes the overall recommendation should have been shared with him.
- Opposition parties accused Starmer of misleading Parliament about the vetting process; he denied this.
- A security review of Mandelson’s time as ambassador is underway, separate from a wider national security vetting review.
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