Keir Starmer’s Cabinet allies have come to his support amid the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, setting the stage for a crucial parliamentary session. The Prime Minister faces tough questioning from MPs following revelations that the former UK ambassador to Washington did not pass UK security vetting.
Last week, Starmer dismissed Foreign Office head Sir Olly Robbins, expressing anger over the department’s failure to inform No10 about Mandelson’s clearance status. Liz Kendall criticized the Foreign Office’s failure to disclose Mandelson’s vetting failure to Starmer or then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy, dubbing it a “serious mistake.”
Kendall affirmed her unwavering confidence in Starmer’s leadership, praising his decisive and courageous decision-making on significant national issues. She emphasized that had Starmer been aware of Mandelson’s vetting outcome, his appointment as ambassador would have been revoked.
Tech Secretary also criticized the lack of transparency in not revealing Mandelson’s vetting failure, asserting that had this information been known, Mandelson would not have been appointed. Deputy PM Lammy echoed similar sentiments, calling it “inexplicable” that Downing Street was kept unaware of Mandelson’s vetting status.
As the controversy unfolds, dismissed Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins is set to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee to present his perspective. Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Lord Simon McDonald accused Starmer of hastily dismissing Robbins without a fair process, suggesting a lack of transparency and fairness in the decision-making process.
The unfolding events highlight the complexities surrounding the vetting scandal and its implications on government officials, underscoring the need for accountability and transparency in such matters.