Keir Starmer’s Cabinet allies have come to his support as he confronts a critical moment in Parliament regarding the Peter Mandelson vetting controversy.
The Prime Minister, under scrutiny, will face questioning from Members of Parliament following revelations that the former UK ambassador to Washington did not pass UK Security vetting.
Recently, Mr. Starmer removed Sir Olly Robbins from the Foreign Office leadership, expressing anger over the department withholding information from No10 and granting Lord Mandelson clearance.
Liz Kendall remarked on Sky News that it was a significant error for the Foreign Office not to inform Mr. Starmer or then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy about Lord Mandelson’s vetting failure.
She emphasized that the Prime Minister would have rescinded Lord Mandelson’s appointment had he been aware before the official announcement.
When asked about her confidence in Mr. Starmer leading the party into the next election, Ms. Kendall affirmed her full support, praising his qualities of courage and decisiveness.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s right choices on crucial national issues like abstaining from the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Ms. Kendall commended his leadership.
The Tech Secretary criticized the failure to disclose Lord Mandelson’s vetting status, asserting that he would not have been appointed if the information had been known at the time.
Deputy PM Mr. Lammy also defended Mr. Starmer, stating his bewilderment at No10 being kept unaware of Lord Mandelson’s vetting failure. He expressed confidence that had the Prime Minister been informed, the appointment would not have proceeded.
In parallel, the ousted Foreign Office head, Sir Olly Robbins, is set to address the Foreign Affairs Committee to present his perspective on the matter.
Former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, Lord Simon McDonald, claimed that Sir Olly was unfairly dismissed by the Prime Minister, suggesting a lack of due process and fairness in the decision-making.
In a statement to the BBC, Lord McDonald criticized the haste with which Sir Olly was required to resign following the news report, indicating a rush to hold someone accountable without a fair process.
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