Downing Street confirmed the UK Prime Minister uses an auto-delete function on his phone, meaning WhatsApp messages concerning Lord Mandelson may be lost. This comes after a review into WhatsApp use for government business, with concerns raised about security and audit trails.
A second batch of papers on Lord Mandelson's UK ambassador appointment to the US has been released, but key questions remain unanswered. These include the content of undisclosed messages, why vetting officials recommended against clearance, Mandelson's response to due diligence, details of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and his concerns about the Chagos Islands.
Over 1,000 pages of documents concerning Lord Mandelson's controversial tenure as UK ambassador to the US have been released following an MP vote. The files detail security vetting, diplomatic efforts, and Mandelson's critical private opinions on the Starmer government.
An analysis of documents related to Peter Mandelson's vetting reveals blunt conversations about the welfare system and public spending. The political damage to the Prime Minister is compounded by recent election results and an ongoing leadership race.
Published government documents reveal private messages from Lord Mandelson criticizing the Prime Minister, No 10, and Labour MPs. The messages, covering his failed bid for UK ambassador to the US, also show internal party struggles regarding policy and leadership, with Kemi Badenoch commenting on Labour's understanding of finances.
Newly published documents reveal Lord Mandelson's critical messages about the PM, No 10, and Labour MPs, including discussions on the welfare bill and leadership authority. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Pat McFadden's remarks.
Documents reveal Lord Mandelson's critical messages to ministers about Labour's leadership, including concerns over Keir Starmer's direction and the No 10 operation. Exchanges also touch on policy handling, AI advice, and the appointment process for the US ambassador role.
Over 1,000 pages of documents released regarding Lord Mandelson's UK ambassador to US appointment reveal internal criticism of PM Keir Starmer, No 10 operations, and Labour MPs. Messages show Mandelson advising ministers on strategy and language, including on AI.
The UK government will publish a second tranche of documents on Monday concerning Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, following revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The documents, described as one of the largest publications ever laid in Parliament, will be released after MPs voted to force their disclosure.
MPs are to vote on Tuesday on whether Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should be investigated for allegedly misleading the House of Commons over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. The motion relates to comments Starmer made claiming 'full due process' was followed in the December 2024 appointment, despite UK Security Vetting recommending against granting security clearance. Former Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins confirmed he approved the vetting clearance without informing the PM of the initial recommendations.
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.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for his resignation and confirmed he will lead Labour into the next general election, despite ongoing controversy regarding his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador against official vetting advice.
Chief property and security officer Ian Collard set to submit written answers to foreign affairs committee questionsA key figure in the row over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to Washington will not appear before a parliamentary committee of MPs to give evidence.Dame Emily Thornberry had requested that Ian Collard speak to the foreign affairs committee (FAC) on Tuesday, but confirmed on Saturday that he would submit written answers instead.Whether he felt under pressure to deliver Lord Mandelson’s clearance, after Sir Olly said there was an “atmosphere of pressure” and “constant chasing” from Downing Street.Whether he had seen the cover form for Lord Mandelson’s vetting by UK Security Vetting (UKSV), the agency responsible for checks on candidates for sensitive posts, in which it had ticked two red boxes – meaning they had “high concern” and recommended “clearance denied or withdrawn”.If he was asked by anyone in the Foreign Office, Downing Street or the Cabinet Office for advice about whether Lord Mandelson required vetting for the post given he was a member of the House of Lords.If he advised on how Lord Mandelson should be treated during the period between his appointment being announced and his clearance coming through. Continue reading...
The Lord Mandelson vetting row is featured on many of Thursday's front pages.
Morgan McSweeney, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, will appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week to answer questions about his role in the security vetting of Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to Washington. Sir Olly Robbins, former senior Foreign Office civil servant, has accused Downing Street of a "dismissive" attitude towards the vetting process and described an "atmosphere of pressure" to speed up clearance. McSweeney resigned in February taking responsibility for advising the PM on the appointment, after UK Security and Vetting raised concerns that the Foreign Office nonetheless granted clearance.
The papers are dominated by the fallout for the prime minister from the failed vetting of Lord Mandelson for his role as British ambassador to the US.
Sir Olly Robbins told MPs he did not inform No 10 about vetting concerns around Lord Mandelson, while alleging Downing Street pushed hard for his appointment. His evidence also introduced questions about a separate proposed diplomatic role for Lord Doyle.
Sir Olly Robbins has told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that he did not inform No 10 about vetting concerns regarding Lord Mandelson's security clearance for the Washington DC ambassador role. In a nearly two-and-a-half hour session, Sir Olly revealed a separate attempt to appoint Lord Doyle to a diplomatic post, despite his known ties to a convicted sex offender. The testimony deepens the crisis for Sir Keir Starmer, who has acknowledged the Mandelson appointment was a grave mistake. The PM now faces questions about his team's knowledge and judgment.
Sir Olly Robbins, former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, is giving evidence to MPs about his role in vetting Lord Mandelson for the UK ambassador to the US role. He reveals that security officials recommended denying clearance, but Downing Street applied constant pressure to expedite the process. Mandelson was granted clearance in January 2025 despite the recommendation, took up the role in February, and was sacked seven months later over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Robbins was effectively sacked last week.
Sir Olly Robbins told MPs that Downing Street pressured the Foreign Office to expedite Lord Mandelson's security clearance, despite warnings from vetting officials. Mandelson was later dismissed as UK ambassador to the US over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Olly Robbins, former permanent under secretary at the Foreign Office, will testify before the Foreign Affairs Committee today after being sacked last Thursday. He failed to inform the PM and foreign secretary that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting to be UK's ambassador in Washington. Robbins plans to defend his interpretation of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, 2010, which he claims prohibited sharing security vetting conclusions. The PM's allies maintain Robbins could and should have shared the information with ministers.
Sir Olly Robbins, former permanent under secretary at the Foreign Office, testifies today after being sacked for failing to inform the PM that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting to be UK ambassador in Washington. He will defend his interpretation of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, which he says barred him from sharing vetting conclusions. The PM's allies maintain Robbins could and should have shared the information.
All of today's papers respond to Starmer's claims he didn't know of Lord Mandelson's failed vetting for the role of British ambassador to the US.
