Overview
- Opposition parties have asked the Speaker to refer Keir Starmer to the Commons Privileges Committee over claims he misled MPs about the handling of Peter Mandelson’s security checks.
- Sir Olly Robbins, who testified to MPs on Tuesday, said No 10 took a dismissive view of vetting and confirmed he did not tell the prime minister that UK Security Vetting had recommended denying top clearance.
- Starmer told MPs on Wednesday that Robbins’ evidence shows he was not informed and said he will not resign over the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
- A formal leak inquiry is under way into how sensitive details about Mandelson’s vetting reached the press, according to the prime minister’s office.
- Scrutiny is widening, with Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee saying it still lacks key files and the Foreign Affairs Committee set to question Cabinet Office chief Cat Little on Thursday and former Starmer aide Morgan McSweeney next week.