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2w ago

Foreign Office Overruled Security Advice to Clear Mandelson, Putting Starmer Under Pressure

The rare bypass of the UK's highest security vetting raises sharp questions about ministerial oversight.

Sir Keir Starmer and Peter Mandelson shortly after the latter's appointment as US ambassador Photo: Carl Court/PA Wire
File photo dated 27/02/25 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (right) and British ambassador to the United States Lord Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence in Washington, DC. Lord Peter Mandelson has been withdrawn as ambassador to the US after emails revealed the depth of his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir Starmer, who picked the Labour grandee to be the UK's representative in Washington, made the decision after emails showed the peer sent supportive messages even as Epstein faced jail for sex offences. Issue date: Thursday September 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Carl Court/PA Wire
Sir Olly Robbins was permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Overview

  • Downing Street confirmed Thursday that the Foreign Office granted Peter Mandelson Developed Vetting, the UK’s highest clearance, against UK Security Vetting’s advice after The Guardian revealed the initial refusal.
  • No 10 says Keir Starmer and other ministers first learned of the override on Tuesday and the prime minister ordered an investigation and plans to set out the facts to MPs on Monday.
  • Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant, has left his post as scrutiny intensifies and the Foreign Affairs Committee prepares to question him next week.
  • The government says it will meet a Commons “humble address” for papers, with sensitive vetting documents to go to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee to decide on redactions.
  • Vetting assessments contain highly personal data and are not normally shared with ministers, a practice experts say helps explain the gap between Starmer’s earlier assurances and the now‑confirmed override by officials.