Starmer Unaware of Mandelson Vetting Issue, Parliament Not Told

The Foreign Office's top civil servant was sacked after it was revealed that ministers, including Keir Starmer, were not informed about Lord Mandelson's failed security vetting.
By Newsroom | UK Politics, Government Transparency |

Keir Starmer has declared it "unforgivable" and "staggering" that he was not informed about Lord Mandelson failing his developed vetting clearance. He stated that at the time he was assuring Parliament that due process had been followed, neither he nor any minister was aware of the security vetting recommendation against Mandelson. A Downing Street spokesman echoed this, saying Parliament and Starmer had a right to know about the UK Security Vetting's recommendation against the clearance.

Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable he was not told Mandelson failed vetting - 1

UK Security Vetting recommended against the developed vetting security clearance for Peter Mandelson, a fact not disclosed to the Foreign Secretary, Keir Starmer, or Parliament at the time due diligence was stated to have been followed.

Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable he was not told Mandelson failed vetting - 2

The revelation has led to the sacking of the Foreign Office's top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, by Prime Minister Yvette Cooper, who reportedly lost confidence in him over the scandal. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, has stated that Starmer did not lie to the Commons and is not considering his resignation. He clarified that the Prime Minister was unaware of the vetting issue until earlier this week, and that the process allowed the Foreign Office to overrule security vetting recommendations. Jones has since suspended this right for the Foreign Office and other bodies.

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Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable he was not told Mandelson failed vetting - 3

Mandelson's Vetting Status Unfolds

The issue came to light after the Cabinet Office requested documents pertaining to Mandelson's vetting. A Downing Street spokesperson insisted that no one in Number 10 possessed this information, despite repeated requests for assurances on the case, including the vetting status. While Darren Jones maintains the Prime Minister was correct in stating due process was followed, he also acknowledged that the failure to inform ministers when vetting advice was ignored was "totally unacceptable."

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Political Fallout and Denials

Opposition figures have raised questions about the timeline and transparency of the situation. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called Starmer's handling a "catastrophic error of judgment" and found it "astonishing" that due process seemingly permitted overriding the security vetting team's recommendation. Conversely, Darren Jones defended the Prime Minister, stating he did not mislead Parliament, as the process as it existed had been followed until he intervened. He also confirmed that Starmer is "furious with the state" that allowed the Foreign Office to bypass the vetting process for Mandelson. A Labour backbencher has also reportedly expressed doubts about the credibility of Starmer's alleged unawareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Keir Starmer unaware of Lord Mandelson's vetting failure?
Keir Starmer stated he and his ministers were not informed about the UK Security Vetting's recommendation against Lord Mandelson's clearance. This happened while he was assuring Parliament that due process was followed.
Q: Who was sacked over the Mandelson vetting issue?
Prime Minister Yvette Cooper sacked Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office's top civil servant, because she lost confidence in him over the scandal.
Q: Did Keir Starmer lie to Parliament about Lord Mandelson's vetting?
Chief Secretary Darren Jones stated Keir Starmer did not lie and is not considering resignation. He explained the Prime Minister was unaware until recently and the process allowed the Foreign Office to overrule security vetting.
Q: What changes are being made after the Mandelson vetting scandal?
Darren Jones has suspended the Foreign Office's and other bodies' right to overrule security vetting recommendations. This follows the failure to inform ministers when vetting advice was ignored, which was called 'totally unacceptable'.
Q: What was the political reaction to the Mandelson vetting issue?
Opposition leader Sir Ed Davey called Starmer's handling a 'catastrophic error'. Darren Jones defended Starmer, saying he did not mislead Parliament as the process *as it existed* was followed, and Starmer is 'furious' the Foreign Office could bypass vetting.