A parliamentary committee has recommended MPs be given veto power over ambassadorial appointments, citing Peter Mandelson's "disastrous" posting to Washington as a prime example. The committee criticized the Foreign Office's handling of his security clearance and record-keeping.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry criticizes the UK government for failing to support the Palestinian people and make it economically impossible for Israel to continue actions in the West Bank and Gaza. She also condemned Donald Trump's handling of a Gaza ceasefire.
A parliamentary inquiry into Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador is struggling to get answers, with key questions about his security vetting remaining unanswered. MPs are concerned about a lack of documentary evidence and the government's adherence to releasing all relevant papers.
Senior civil servants appeared before a parliamentary committee to explain the controversial appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. Evidence revealed pressure from Number 10 to expedite the vetting process before Trump's inauguration, concerns about Mandelson's Epstein connections, and admissions that neither Barton nor McSweeney knew Mandelson had failed UK security vetting. Both officials faced questions about the propriety of the process, with McSweeney admitting he wrongly advised the prime minister to support the appointment.
Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Sir Philip Barton has told MPs that he raised concerns about Peter Mandelson's links to Jeffery Epstein before his appointment as US ambassador, but was given no avenue to express them. Barton said there was 'absolutely' pressure from Downing Street to speed up vetting, with Number 10 appearing 'uninterested' in the process. He said the appointment was announced before vetting was complete, which was 'unusual', and that he was told to 'get on with it' despite his concerns about Epstein's 'toxic' nature in US politics.
A UK minister has revealed that Foreign Office officials refused to provide a summary of why Peter Mandelson was initially refused vetting clearance during his appointment as a minister. David Robbins, then Foreign Office counterpart, resisted sending the document despite requests as part of Commons 'humble address' proceedings. The Foreign Office also initiated discussions about whether vetting was needed for Mandelson as a member of the House of Lords. Additionally, there appears to be no official record of Prime Minister Keir Starmer approving Mandelson's appointment, with boxes for the PM's comments left blank on relevant forms.
Sir Olly Robbins faced parliamentary scrutiny over his decision to grant Peter Mandelson developed vetting clearance despite UK Security Vetting (UKSV) recommending denial in red. Robbins relied on oral briefing rather than viewing the actual vetting file, describing the case as "borderline". Former senior civil servants defended Robbins, but the testimony raised questions about the opacity of the vetting system and why risks potentially related to Jeffrey Epstein were apparently missed.
Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, has been summoned to testify before a parliamentary committee regarding allegations that Downing Street pressured civil servants to approve Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington.
Sir Olly Robbins has defended his handling of Peter Mandelson's security clearance, revealing he was under constant pressure from No 10 to expedite the Labour peer's appointment to Washington. Robbins acknowledged regretting that the appointment was announced before vetting was completed, but insisted the decision to grant clearance was correct. Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintains he should have been told about UK Security Vetting's recommendation to deny clearance, and defended his decision to sack Robbins.
Former Foreign Office head Olly Robbins told MPs that Downing Street pressed him to find a diplomatic post for Keir Starmer's communications chief Matthew Doyle in March 2025, instructing him not to discuss it with then foreign secretary David Lammy. Robbins said he found the request uncomfortable and difficult to defend. Doyle was later suspended as a Labour peer after it emerged he campaigned for a friend charged with possessing indecent images of children.
Former Foreign Office head Olly Robbins testified that Downing Street pressured him to find a diplomatic role for Keir Starmer’s communications chief, Matthew Doyle, while explicitly instructing him to keep the discussions hidden from the then foreign secretary.
Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Olly Robbins has revealed that Downing Street asked him to find a senior diplomatic role for Matthew Doyle, Keir Starmer's then director of communications. Robbins testified to the foreign affairs select committee that he was instructed not to discuss the matter with Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The conversations occurred in March 2025, shortly before Doyle left Downing Street. Doyle was later suspended as a Labour peer after it emerged he campaigned in 2016 for Sean Morton, who was charged with possessing indecent images of children.
