Keir Starmer expressed his anger towards Foreign Office officials for withholding information about the Peter Mandelson security vetting controversy. The Prime Minister, in an effort to manage the aftermath of the situation, expressed disbelief at not being informed of Lord Mandelson’s failed vetting before. During a critical session in the Commons, Mr. Starmer emphasized that he would have revoked Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s top diplomat in Washington if he had been aware of the situation.
In a sharp critique of the Foreign Office, following the dismissal of top official Sir Olly Robbins, Mr. Starmer accused the department of intentionally choosing not to inform him. Addressing fellow MPs, Mr. Starmer stated, “The actions of the Foreign Office in concealing this vital information from senior government ministers are astonishing and contrary to the expectations of the public regarding transparency and accountability.”
Amidst allegations that No10 was pressured into confirming Lord Mandelson as US ambassador after the news was leaked, Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Dame Emily Thornberry raised concerns. She pointed out the lack of clarity in both the offer letter to Lord Mandelson and the government’s press release regarding the vetting process, suggesting that certain members of the Prime Minister’s team prioritized Lord Mandelson’s appointment over security considerations.
The Prime Minister made these statements as former Foreign Office head Sir Olly Robbins was set to appear before MPs following his dismissal by Mr. Starmer. A close friend of Sir Olly, UN official Tom Fletcher, expressed deep sadness on Sir Olly’s behalf, highlighting his unwavering commitment to public service and integrity.
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