philip barton

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Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

Barton and McSweeney face questions over Mandelson US ambassador appointment process

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.

Guardian UK

McSweeney admits pressure to speed up Mandelson vetting but denies skipping security checks

In Entwicklung

Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

McSweeney admits pressure to speed up Mandelson vetting but denies skipping security checks

Morgan McSweeney has admitted that Foreign Office officials came under intense pressure to expedite Peter Mandelson's posting as UK ambassador to Washington, but denied they were forced to skip security vetting steps. The former chief of staff, who resigned over the scandal, acknowledged asking the then top official Philip Barton to process the appointment 'at pace' but insisted he never asked officials to do anything improper. McSweeney described learning the extent of Mandelson's Jeffrey Epstein links as 'a knife through my soul' and admitted a 'serious error of judgment' in advising Keir Starmer to proceed with the appointment.

Guardian UK

4 Min. Lesezeit

No way to raise Mandelson concerns, former senior official says

In Entwicklung

Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

No way to raise Mandelson concerns, former senior official says

Former senior civil servant Sir Philip Barton has told MPs there was no mechanism for him to raise concerns about Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US in December 2024. Testifying to the Foreign Affairs Committee, the former FCDO permanent under-secretary said he was not consulted beforehand and was simply "told to get on with it" despite knowing about Mandelson's links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The appointment hasdogged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for months, with MPs set to vote on whether there should be a parliamentary investigation into his claims about the vetting process.

BBC News

3 Min. Lesezeit

McSweeney admits advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson was 'serious error of judgment'

In Entwicklung

Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

McSweeney admits advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson was 'serious error of judgment'

Morgan McSweeney has admitted to MPs that advising Prime Minister Keir Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington was a serious error of judgment. Giving evidence to the Commons privileges committee, McSweeney acknowledged he resigned because accountability in public life cannot apply only when convenient. The hearing also heard from former Foreign Office permanent secretary Philip Barton, whose evidence backed claims the appointment was pushed through with unseemly haste and that Downing Street was uninterested in vetting concerns.

Guardian UK

4 Min. Lesezeit

Former Foreign Office chief says he raised concerns about Mandelson's Epstein links but was ignored

In Entwicklung

Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

Former Foreign Office chief says he raised concerns about Mandelson's Epstein links but was ignored

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.

Guardian UK

4 Min. Lesezeit

Foreign Affairs Committee hears evidence on Mandelson US ambassador vetting process

In Entwicklung

Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

Foreign Affairs Committee hears evidence on Mandelson US ambassador vetting process

The Foreign Affairs Committee is hearing evidence about the vetting of Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US, which was sacked in September 2025 over links to Jeffrey Epstein. Senior civil servant Sir Philip Barton said he was first aware of the decision on 15 December 2024 - five days before public announcement - and believed he should have been consulted. He said there was pressure to complete vetting by Trump's inauguration and no-one asked him to ensure the process was rigorous, despite identifying Epstein as a 'toxic hot potato subject'. The PM previously said 'no pressure existed whatsoever' before later acknowledging 'different types of pressure'.

BBC News

2 Min. Lesezeit

Former Foreign Office chief says he had concerns about Mandelson's Epstein links before US ambassador appointment

In Entwicklung

Politik·28.4.2026KI-Zusammenfassung

Former Foreign Office chief says he had concerns about Mandelson's Epstein links before US ambassador appointment

Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Philip Barton has told MPs he had concerns about Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador due to Mandelson's links with Jeffrey Epstein, warning it could become politically difficult in the US. Barton said he was not consulted about the appointment and was simply told to 'get on with it' after the decision was made. He confirmed there was pressure on the Foreign Office to process Mandelson's security vetting quickly, though he did not believe the substance of the vetting decision was affected. The testimony comes ahead of a parliamentary vote on a motion referring Keir Starmer to the privileges committee over claims he misled MPs about the Mandelson vetting process.

Guardian UK

9 Min. Lesezeit