Cat Little explains delay in informing PM about Mandelson vetting recommendations

Cat Little says she delayed telling the Prime Minister about the Mandelson vetting recommendation because she wanted legal advice first.

Little said she saw the UKSV report on Mandelson on 25 March. She said she discussed it with the cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, shortly afterwards. But they did not tell the PM until 14 April.

Asked why it took so long to inform him, she replied: "I immediately sought legal advice, because this is such an unusual thing for a government official to do, to handle that sort of security information. I believe I have a responsibility to handle that sensitive information within the framework of both the law and the guidance that I’m subject to, and I did not feel that I could share that information until I understood the consequences and the authority that I had."

Little refused to say if she spoke to Ian Collard, head of the estates, security and network directorate in the Foreign Office, about the decision to grant vetting to Mandelson. Little said she did not speak to Collard, because one of her officials did. When asked if the information given by Collard was different from the information given by Robbins to the committee, Little refused to say, suggesting the committee speak to Collard directly.

Regarding the ownership of UKSV documents, Little noted that she eventually obtained a copy of the UKSV summary directly from UKSV. It remains unclear why both departments appeared to ask each other for the documentation.

When asked if it was right that the PM was kept in the dark, Little stated it was not for her to opine on the matter. She also noted that information about the PM’s decision-making process regarding the sacking of Olly Robbins would not be within the scope of the humble address.

Little confirmed that most senior civil servants never see the specific UKSV forms used in this process. She also maintained that due process was followed in the Mandelson vetting process, though she sidestepped questions regarding the timing of the appointment announcement relative to the vetting completion, noting that the review by Adrian Fulford would address these issues.