UK Prime Minister Appoints Mandelson as Ambassador

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced intense questioning in Parliament over his appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US. The decision came under fire after revelations about security vetting concerns linked to Mandelson's past associations.

Starmer insisted he would not resign, stating that allegations of misleading lawmakers had been resolved. Multiple sources reported that Starmer appointed Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician, despite initial security concerns raised by vetting officials.

Mandelson was later sacked seven months into the role due to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer admitted an error in judgment but defended the process.

senior Foreign Office civil servant Sir Olly Robbins testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee that there was an "atmosphere of pressure" from Downing Street to complete Mandelson's security clearance swiftly. Robbins stated he was orally briefed that the case was "borderline" with manageable risks, but he could not share detailed vetting information with the prime minister under civil service guidelines.

Downing Street denied any dismissive attitude toward the process. The prime minister expressed anger that the Foreign Office had not informed him of the vetting concerns, leading to Robbins' dismissal. Starmer told lawmakers that if he had known about the issues, Mandelson would not have been appointed.

The UK Security and Vetting team had flagged concerns, but the Foreign Office granted clearance anyway.

“If the Foreign Office had told him about the vetting concerns 'Mandelson would not have been committed to post.'”