Key points as MPs question former Foreign Office boss on Mandelson vetting row
Summary
The UK Foreign Affairs Committee is investigating how Lord Mandelson was chosen as the UK ambassador to the United States, especially due to his links with Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Philip Barton, a former senior Foreign Office official, said he was not consulted on the appointment and that there was pressure to complete Mandelson’s security checks quickly.Key Facts
- Lord Mandelson was appointed as UK ambassador to the US but was dismissed in September 2025 over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Sir Philip Barton only learned about Mandelson’s appointment five days before the public announcement.
- Barton believed he should have been consulted because the ambassador role is important, yet it was a political decision.
- Barton was concerned about Mandelson’s Epstein links, calling Epstein a "toxic" issue in the US.
- The US administration under President Donald Trump was surprised by Mandelson’s appointment because they preferred the previous ambassador.
- Downing Street showed little interest in thoroughly vetting Mandelson before the appointment.
- Barton confirmed there was strong pressure to finish Mandelson’s vetting quickly to meet the Prime Minister’s timeline.
- The Prime Minister denied there was inappropriate pressure, describing it as routine government urgency.
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