BBC News4/19/2026Politics
Starmer would have blocked Mandelson US ambassador appointment if told of vetting failure, ministers say
PM under pressure after security concerns emerged; opposition parties demand resignation over misleading Parliament claims
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- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would have blocked Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador had he known security vetting had failed, ministers have said.
- The PM was told Mandelson had been granted developed vetting status but was not informed UK Security Vetting hadn't cleared him.
- The revelation has sparked opposition calls for Starmer's resignation, with Conservatives and Reform UK accusing him of misleading Parliament over due process.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would have blocked Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador had he known security vetting had failed, ministers have said. The PM was told Mandelson had been granted developed vetting status but was not informed UK Security Vetting hadn't cleared him. The revelation has sparked opposition calls for Starmer's resignation, with Conservatives and Reform UK accusing him of misleading Parliament over due process. Foreign Office senior civil servant Sir Olly Robbins was ousted this week over the vetting row.
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This article was originally published by BBC News.
