{"id":145529,"date":"2026-04-20T18:22:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.politics.co.uk\/?p=145529"},"modified":"2026-05-11T15:13:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:13:38","slug":"mandelson-process-beggars-belief-keir-starmers-statement-to-parliament-in-full","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politics.co.uk\/news\/2026\/04\/20\/mandelson-process-beggars-belief-keir-starmers-statement-to-parliament-in-full\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandelson process \u2018beggars belief\u2019: Keir Starmer\u2019s statement to parliament in full"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keir Starmer has said it \u201cbeggars belief\u201d that he was not told the full story about Peter Mandelson\u2019s vetting by Foreign Office officials.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The prime minister acknowledged that many MPs would find his remarks about the latest Mandelson revelations \u201cto be incredible\u201d.<\/i><\/p>\n

The comments came as Starmer delivered a statement to the House of Commons updating MPs on the appointment of Mandelson as British ambassador to the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Read the full statement below:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Thank you\u00a0Mr Speaker, with permission\u2026<\/p>\n

I would like to provide the House with information I now have\u2026<\/p>\n

About the appointment of Peter Mandelson\u2026<\/p>\n

As our ambassador to the United States.<\/p>\n

But Mr. Speaker, before I go into the details\u2026<\/p>\n

I want to be very clear with this\u00a0House\u2026<\/p>\n

That, while this statement will focus\u2026<\/p>\n

On the process surrounding Peter Mandelson\u2019s vetting and appointment\u2026<\/p>\n

At the heart of this, there is also a judgement I made that was wrong.<\/p>\n

I should not have appointed Peter Mandelson.<\/p>\n

I take responsibility for that decision.<\/p>\n

And I apologise, again\u2026<\/p>\n

To the victims of the paedophile, Jeffrey Esptein\u2026<\/p>\n

Who were clearly failed by my decision.<\/p>\n

Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday evening, the 14th\u00a0of April\u2026<\/p>\n

I found out, for the first time\u2026<\/p>\n

That on the 29th\u00a0January 2025\u2026<\/p>\n

Before Peter Mandelson took up his position as Ambassador\u2026<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Foreign Office officials granted him developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

Against the specific recommendation of United Kingdom Security Vetting\u2026<\/p>\n

That developed vetting clearance should be denied.<\/p>\n

Not only that\u2026<\/p>\n

The Foreign Office officials who made that decision\u2026<\/p>\n

Did not pass this information\u2026<\/p>\n

To me\u2026<\/p>\n

To the Foreign Secretary\u2026<\/p>\n

To her predecessor, the Deputy Prime Minister\u2026<\/p>\n

To any other Minister\u2026<\/p>\n

Or even to the former Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald.<\/p>\n

I found this staggering.<\/p>\n

And therefore, last Tuesday\u2026<\/p>\n

I immediately instructed officials in Downing Street and the Cabinet Office\u2026<\/p>\n

To urgently\u00a0establish the facts on my authority.<\/p>\n

I wanted to know who made the decision\u2026<\/p>\n

On what basis\u2026<\/p>\n

Who knew\u2026<\/p>\n

And Mr Speaker\u00a0I wanted that information\u2026<\/p>\n

For the precise and explicit purpose of updating this House.<\/p>\n

Because this is information I should have had a long time ago\u2026<\/p>\n

And it is information this House should have had a long time ago.<\/p>\n

Information that\u00a0I and the House had a right\u00a0to know.<\/p>\n

I will now set out a full timeline of the events in the Peter Mandelson process\u2026<\/p>\n

Including from the fact-finding exercise I instructed last Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Before doing so\u00a0\u2013 I want to remind and reassure the House\u2026<\/p>\n

That the Government will comply fully\u2026<\/p>\n

With the Humble Address motion of the 4th\u00a0February.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, in December 2024<\/p>\n

I was in the process of appointing a new Ambassador for Washington.<\/p>\n

A due diligence exercise was conducted by the Cabinet Office\u2026<\/p>\n

Into Peter Mandelson\u2019s suitability\u2026<\/p>\n

Including questions put to him by my staff in Number 10.<\/p>\n

Peter Mandelson answered those questions on the 10th\u00a0December\u2026<\/p>\n

And I received final advice on the due diligence process on the 11th.<\/p>\n

I made the decision to appoint him on the 18th\u00a0December\u2026<\/p>\n

The appointment was announced on the 20th\u2026<\/p>\n

And the security vetting process began on the 23rd\u00a0December 2024.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, I want to make clear to the House\u2026<\/p>\n

That for a Direct Ministerial Appointment\u2026<\/p>\n

It was usual for security vetting to happen after the appointment\u2026<\/p>\n

But before starting in post.<\/p>\n

That was the process in place at the time\u2026<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker,\u00a0this was confirmed by the former Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald\u2026<\/p>\n

At the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on the 3rd\u00a0of November 2025 when he gave evidence\u2026<\/p>\n

Sir Chris made clear, and I\u2019m quoting him now:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we are making appointments from outside the civil service\u2026<\/p>\n

The normal thing is for the security clearance to happen after appointment\u2026<\/p>\n

But before the person signs a contract and takes up post\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same hearing of the same Select Committee\u2026<\/p>\n

The former Permanent Secretary to the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins said, and I quote again\u2026<\/p>\n

Peter Mandelson \u201cdid not hold national security vetting when he was appointed\u2026<\/p>\n

But as is normally the case with external appointments to my Department and the wider civil service\u2026<\/p>\n

The appointment was made subject to obtaining security clearance\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker,\u00a0after I sacked Peter Mandelson\u2026<\/p>\n

I changed that process\u2026<\/p>\n

So that now an appointment cannot be announced\u2026<\/p>\n

Until after security vetting is passed.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, the security vetting was carried out by UK Security Vetting (UKSV)\u2026<\/p>\n

Between the 23rd\u00a0of December 2024 and the 28th\u00a0of January 2025.<\/p>\n

UKSV conducted vetting, in the normal way\u2026<\/p>\n

Collecting relevant information\u2026<\/p>\n

As well as interviewing the applicant \u2013 in this case, on two occasions.<\/p>\n

Then, on the 28th\u00a0of January 2025\u2026<\/p>\n

UKSV recommended to the Foreign Office\u2026<\/p>\n

That developed vetting clearance should be denied to Peter Mandelson.<\/p>\n

The following day, on the 29th\u00a0of January 2025\u2026<\/p>\n

Notwithstanding the UKSV recommendation that developed vetting clearance should be denied\u2026<\/p>\n

Foreign Office officials made the decision\u2026<\/p>\n

To grant developed vetting clearance for Peter Mandelson.<\/p>\n

To be clear\u2026<\/p>\n

For many Departments, a decision from UKSV is binding.<\/p>\n

But for the Foreign Office, the final decision on developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

Is made by Foreign Office officials\u2026<\/p>\n

Not UKSV.<\/p>\n

However, once the decision in this case came to light\u2026<\/p>\n

The Foreign Office\u2019s power to make the final decision on developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

Was immediately suspended by my Chief Secretary last week.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, I accept that the sensitive personal information provided by an individual being vetted\u2026 Must be protected from disclosure.<\/p>\n

If that were not the case, the integrity of the whole process would be compromised.<\/p>\n

What I do not accept\u2026<\/p>\n

Is that the appointing minister cannot be told of the recommendation by UKSV.<\/p>\n

Indeed, given the seriousness of these issues\u2026<\/p>\n

And the significance of the appointment\u2026<\/p>\n

I simply do not accept that Foreign Office officials could not have informed me\u2026<\/p>\n

Of UKSV\u2019s recommendations\u2026<\/p>\n

Whilst also maintaining the necessary confidentiality that vetting requires.<\/p>\n

There is no law that stops Civil Servants sensibly flagging UKSV recommendations<\/p>\n

While protecting detailed sensitive vetting information\u2026<\/p>\n

To allow Ministers to make judgements on appointments or on explaining matters to Parliament.
\nSo let me be very clear, the recommendation in the Peter Mandelson case could\u00a0and should\u00a0have been shared with me\u2026<\/p>\n

Before he took up his post.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker<\/p>\n

Let me make a second point.<\/p>\n

If I had known, before he took up his post\u2026<\/p>\n

That\u00a0UKSV recommendation was that developed vetting should be denied\u2026<\/p>\n

I would not have gone ahead with the appointment.<\/p>\n

Mr. Speaker, let me now move to September 2025\u2026<\/p>\n

Because events then \u2013 and subsequently\u2026<\/p>\n

Show with even starker clarity\u2026<\/p>\n

The opportunities missed by Foreign Office officials\u2026<\/p>\n

To make the position clear.<\/p>\n

On September 10th, Bloomberg reported fresh details of Mandelson\u2019s history with Epstein\u2026<\/p>\n

And it was then clear to me\u2026<\/p>\n

That Peter Mandelson\u2019s answers to my staff in the due diligence exercise were not truthful\u2026<\/p>\n

And I sacked him.<\/p>\n

I also changed the Direct Ministerial Appointments\u00a0process\u2026<\/p>\n

So full\u00a0due diligence is now required as standard\u2026<\/p>\n

Where risks are identified \u2013 an interview must be taken, pre-appointment\u2026<\/p>\n

To discuss any risks and conflicts of interest\u2026<\/p>\n

And a summary of this should be provided to the appointing Minister\u2026<\/p>\n

I also made clear\u00a0that public announcements should not now be made until security vetting has been completed.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, in light of the revelations in September of last year,\u00a0I also agreed with the\u00a0then Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald\u2026<\/p>\n

That he would carry out a review of the appointment process in the Peter Mandelson case, including the vetting.<\/p>\n

He\u00a0set out his findings and conclusions in a letter to me on the 16th\u00a0of September.<\/p>\n

He advised me, in that letter,\u00a0and again\u00a0I quote\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe evidence I have reviewed leads me to conclude that appropriate processes were followed\u2026<\/p>\n

In both the appointment and withdrawal of the former HMA Washington\u201d.<\/p>\n

When he was\u00a0asked about this, Mr Speaker,\u00a0last week\u2026<\/p>\n

The then Cabinet Secretary was clear\u2026<\/p>\n

That when he carried out his review, the Foreign Office\u2026<\/p>\n

Did not\u00a0tell him about the UKSV recommendation\u2026<\/p>\n

That developed vetting clearance should be denied to Peter Mandelson.<\/p>\n

I find that astonishing.<\/p>\n

As I set out…<\/p>\n

I do not accept that I could not have been told about the\u00a0recommendation\u2026
\nBefore Peter Mandelson took up his post.<\/p>\n

I absolutely do not accept that the then\u00a0Cabinet Secretary \u2013 an official not a politician \u2013
\nwhen carrying out his review, could not have been told\u2026<\/p>\n

That UKSV recommended that Peter Mandelson should be denied developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

It was a\u00a0vital part of the process that I had asked him to review\u2026<\/p>\n

Clearly, he could have been told and he should have been told.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, on the same day as the then Cabinet Secretary wrote to me \u2013 so that\u2019s\u00a0the 16th\u00a0of\u00a0September 2025\u2026<\/p>\n

The Foreign Secretary and the then Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins\u2026<\/p>\n

Provided a signed statement to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.<\/p>\n

The statement says, and again I quote\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vetting process was undertaken by UK Security Vetting on behalf of the FCDO\u2026<\/p>\n

And concluded with DV clearance being granted by the FCDO\u2026<\/p>\n

In advance of Lord Mandelson taking up post in February.<\/p>\n

It went on to say, and again I quote:<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter Mandelson\u2019s security vetting was conducted to the usual standard set for Developed Vetting in line with established Cabinet Office policy\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear to\u00a0the House\u2026<\/p>\n

This was in response to questions which\u00a0included\u2026<\/p>\n

Whether concerns were raised\u2026<\/p>\n

What the Foreign Office\u2019s response was\u2026<\/p>\n

And whether they were\u00a0dismissed.<\/p>\n

Mr. Speaker, that the Foreign Secretary was advised on\u2026<\/p>\n

And allowed to sign this statement by Foreign Office officials\u2026<\/p>\n

Without being told that UKSV had recommended Peter Mandelson be denied developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

Is absolutely\u00a0unforgivable.<\/p>\n

This is a Senior Cabinet Member\u2026<\/p>\n

Giving evidence to Parliament\u2026<\/p>\n

On the very issue\u00a0in question.<\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, in light of further revelations about Peter Mandelson in February of\u00a0this year\u2026<\/p>\n

I was very concerned about the fact that developed vetting clearance had been granted to him.<\/p>\n

Not knowing that, in fact, UKSV had recommended denial of developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

I instructed my officials to carry out a review of the national security vetting process.<\/p>\n

As I set out\u2026<\/p>\n

I do not accept that I could not have been told about UKSV\u2019s\u00a0denial of security vetting before Peter Mandelson took up his post in January 2025.<\/p>\n

I do not accept that the then Cabinet Secretary could not have been told in September 2025\u2026<\/p>\n

When he carried out his review into\u00a0the process.<\/p>\n

I do not\u00a0accept that the Foreign Secretary\u2026<\/p>\n

Could not have been told when making statements\u00a0to the Select Committee, again in 2025.<\/p>\n

But, Mr Speaker,\u00a0on top of that, the fact that I was not told even when I ordered a review of the UKSV process\u2026<\/p>\n

Is frankly staggering.<\/p>\n

And I can tell the House,<\/p>\n

That\u00a0I have now updated the Terms of Reference for the\u00a0review into Security Vetting\u2026<\/p>\n

To make sure it covers the means by which all decisions are made in relation to National Security Vetting<\/p>\n

I have\u00a0appointed Sir Adrian Fulford to lead the review.<\/p>\n

Separately\u2026<\/p>\n

I have asked the Government Security Group in the Cabinet Office\u2026<\/p>\n

To look at any security concerns raised during Peter Mandelson\u2019s tenure.<\/p>\n

Mr. Speaker\u2026<\/p>\n

I know many members across the\u00a0House\u2026<\/p>\n

Will find these facts to be incredible.<\/p>\n

To that I can only say \u2013 they are right.<\/p>\n

It beggars belief…<\/p>\n

That throughout the\u00a0whole timeline of events\u2026<\/p>\n

Officials in the Foreign Office\u2026<\/p>\n

Saw fit to withhold this information\u2026<\/p>\n

From the most senior Ministers in our system in\u00a0Government.<\/p>\n

That is not how the vast majority of people in this country\u2026<\/p>\n

Expect politics, government, or accountability to work.<\/p>\n

And I do not think it is how most public servants think it should work, either.<\/p>\n

I work with hundreds of civil servants\u2026<\/p>\n

Thousands even\u2026<\/p>\n

All of whom act with the utmost integrity, dedication and pride to serve this country\u2026<\/p>\n

Including officials from the Foreign Office\u2026<\/p>\n

Who as we speak\u2026<\/p>\n

Are doing a phenomenal job\u2026<\/p>\n

Representing our national interest in a dangerous world\u2026<\/p>\n

In Ukraine\u2026<\/p>\n

In the Middle East\u2026<\/p>\n

And all around the world.<\/p>\n

This is not about them.<\/p>\n

But\u00a0yet it is surely beyond doubt\u2026<\/p>\n

That the recommendation from UKSV\u2026<\/p>\n

That Peter Mandelson should be denied developed vetting clearance\u2026<\/p>\n

Was information\u2026<\/p>\n

That could and should have been shared with me on repeated occasions\u2026<\/p>\n

And therefore, should have been available to this House\u2026<\/p>\n

And ultimately to the British people\u2026<\/p>\n

And I commend this statement to the House.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Keir Starmer has said it \u201cbeggars belief\u201d that he was not told the full story about Peter Mandelson\u2019s vetting by Foreign Office officials.\u00a0 The prime minister acknowledged that many MPs would find his remarks about the latest Mandelson revelations \u201cto be incredible\u201d. The comments came as Starmer delivered a statement to the House of Commons… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":145530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[5946],"editors-picks":[],"maps":[],"class_list":["post-145529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-keir-starmer-2"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMandelson process \u2018beggars belief\u2019: Keir Starmer\u2019s statement to parliament in full - Politics.co.uk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politics.co.uk\/news\/2026\/04\/20\/mandelson-process-beggars-belief-keir-starmers-statement-to-parliament-in-full\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mandelson process \u2018beggars belief\u2019: Keir Starmer\u2019s statement to parliament in full - Politics.co.uk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Keir Starmer has said it \u201cbeggars belief\u201d that he was not told the full story about Peter Mandelson\u2019s vetting by Foreign Office officials.\u00a0 The prime minister acknowledged that many MPs would find his remarks about the latest Mandelson revelations \u201cto be incredible\u201d. The comments came as Starmer delivered a statement to the House of Commons... 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