Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure following revelations on Apr. 19 that Lord Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador despite failing security vetting, according to ministers. Downing Street said red flags in the vetting process were not disclosed by the Foreign Office before Mandelson’s appointment.
The issue has raised questions about government transparency and accountability in high-level appointments. Opposition parties have called for Starmer’s resignation, alleging he misled Parliament regarding due process in the appointment.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, “If he had known that UK security vetting hadn’t cleared him, he would not have made that appointment.” Kendall also stated, “I think one thing we’ve learned from this whole torrid episode is the need to get the facts absolutely clear and right.” Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy echoed this defense, telling The Guardian he had “absolutely no doubt at all” that Starmer “would never, ever have appointed” Mandelson if aware of his failed vetting. Lammy added neither he nor his advisers were informed about the issues during the process.
The controversy intensified after Sir Olly Robbins, then senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, was ousted amid claims of mishandling information about Mandelson’s clearance. Lammy described Robbins’ departure as both surprising and shocking given time pressures related to Donald Trump’s return to office. Yvette Cooper, now leading at the Foreign Office, confirmed Mandelson’s case received priority clearance but insisted all checks were performed despite an expedited process.
Former senior civil servant Helen MacNamara commented there was still a lack of information and criticized efforts to shift blame: “One of the many frustrating things about this is that there’s still no information.” Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burqhart said responsibility ultimately rests with Starmer: “I think there’s one person who’s responsible for everything that’s happened, and that’s the prime minister.” Other opposition figures also questioned Starmer’s suitability for leadership.
Sir Olly Robbins may be called again before Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee amid new doubts over previous evidence provided regarding advice from security agencies. In response to ongoing concerns, Cooper has ordered a review into what officials told MPs to ensure accuracy moving forward.
