Cabinet Office head Cat Little told MPs officials sought details of Peter Mandelson’s security vetting days after reports he had failed checks for a proposed US ambassador post. The PM says he learnt of it only last week, raising questions over what No 10 knew and when.

Allies of Sir Olly Robbins say the PM sacked him without letting him explain his handling of Lord Mandelson’s failed security clearance for the Washington ambassador post. The PM says he asked for, then rejected, an explanation; Robbins’s supporters deny he was asked.

Former FO chief Sir Olly Robbins told MPs No 10 pressed officials to secure an ambassadorship for Matthew Doyle and to fast-track Peter Mandelson’s posting to Washington, while asking him not to brief David Lammy. Doyle later lost the Labour whip over links to an individual convicted of abuse.

An outlet says it warned No 10 seven months ago that Peter Mandelson had failed security checks, contradicting the PM’s claim he learned only this week. A prior report said MI6 had not cleared him, intensifying the vetting row and pressure on Downing Street.