A Guardian investigation has revealed that Peter Mandelson failed a developed vetting process in January 2025, but the Foreign Office overruled the decision to deny him security clearance. The top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, has been forced out following the disclosure.
Keir Starmer had announced Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US before the vetting failure came to light. Officials at the Foreign Office used a rarely invoked authority to override the recommendation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV), a Cabinet Office division.
Downing Street insisted that the prime minister had no knowledge of the security officials' advice until earlier this week. A government spokesperson stated that the decision to grant developed vetting against UKSV's recommendation was taken by FCDO officials, and that neither the prime minister nor any government minister was aware until recently.
The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, and Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, have called for Starmer to take responsibility if he misled parliament. The government has released 147 pages of documents on the appointment, but the vetting failure was not disclosed.
Senior officials are considering whether to withhold further documents from the intelligence and security committee, which could breach a parliamentary motion to release all papers relating to Mandelson's appointment. The government says it is committed to complying with the motion, with redactions for national security.
