Cabinet Office Official to Testify on Peter Mandelson Vetting Controversy

Cat Little, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, is giving evidence to the Commons foreign affairs committee today concerning the vetting controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US.

This hearing follows the recent session where Olly Robbins, former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, testified. Little is a key figure due to her role overseeing the collection of documents pertaining to Mandelson’s appointment and communications, which are being published following a parliamentary address. It was in this capacity that she discovered a UK Security Vetting (UKSV) document indicating that officials recommended against granting Mandelson developed vetting (DV) clearance.

According to minutes released by No 10, Little reported this finding to the Prime Minister last Tuesday. The vetting file, shared with Little as part of the humble address process, contained a recommendation from the vetting officer that DV should not be granted. However, the FCDO, as the sponsor department, exercised discretion and proceeded with granting Mandelson clearance. Little noted that the audit trail for this decision was not yet available, leaving the basis for overriding the recommendation unclear.

As UKSV operates under the Cabinet Office, Little has oversight of the entire vetting process.

Following the public disclosure of this information, partly through a Guardian report, Keir Starmer dismissed Olly Robbins. Starmer’s reasoning was that Robbins should have either adhered to the UKSV advice or flagged the concerns to No 10. Robbins, in his testimony, maintained that UKSV recommendations are not binding and that the final decision rested with the Foreign Office, which he believed could manage the flagged risks.

Little’s testimony may offer clarity on this dispute. However, given her current position as a serving civil servant working for the Prime Minister, it is anticipated that her statements will not cause him significant embarrassment.

The hearings also provide insight into the workings of the British state, particularly the secretive developed vetting process managed by the Cabinet Office, which is central to the UK’s security network.

Today’s agenda includes Cat Little’s evidence at 9:30 am, the ONS publication of crime figures for England and Wales, Keir Starmer’s St George’s Day visit in the north-east, a Downing Street lobby briefing at 11:30 am, Kemi Badenoch’s visit in Pembrokeshire, Starmer’s attendance at a military planning meeting at Northwood headquarters, and Lord Hermer’s speech at an Oxford University event alongside Alain Berset.