The PM condemned senior officials for not telling him Peter Mandelson failed security vetting before being lined up for a top role. He apologised again for the appointment. A sacked mandarin will give evidence to MPs, while No10 says it is refocusing on tackling the cost of living.
The PM is accused of pressuring the Foreign Office to clear Lord Mandelson for a senior post despite vetting concerns. A sacked civil servant says the appointment was forced through and risks were downplayed. No 10 rejects wrongdoing and faces demands for transparency.
Starmer admits he was wrong to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador but refuses to resign. He blames civil service vetting, alleging a deliberate cover‑up. MPs challenge his account, with Badenoch leading criticism and urging him to take responsibility.
Keir Starmer is at odds with ex-senior official Olly Robbins over the vetting of Peter Mandelson for a senior post. Starmer says key concerns from checks were kept from him and now calls the appointment a mistake. Robbins, recently dismissed, is preparing to challenge this.
Facing jeers in the Commons, the PM said the Mandelson affair “beggars belief”, accusing the Foreign Office of a cover‑up. He insisted No10 was not told that a former US ambassador failed security vetting for a senior post, and pledged full disclosure and investigations.
The PM conceded Peter Mandelson’s vetting was mishandled, saying officials failed to pass on key information. Conservatives accused him of blame‑shifting, increasing pressure on his leadership and prompting scrutiny of No 10’s appointments process.
The PM says he unknowingly gave incorrect information and blames Foreign Office officials amid a vetting row linked to Peter Mandelson, prompting scrutiny of oversight of appointments and who is really in charge.
The PM says officials repeatedly hid that Peter Mandelson failed security vetting for the Washington ambassador role, calling it an “unforgivable” cover‑up. He sacked Sir Olly Robbins, who faces MPs and is negotiating his exit. Starmer denies misleading Parliament or breaching the ministerial code, rejecting calls to resign.
Starmer says officials deliberately withheld information about Mandelson’s vetting before his proposed posting to Washington. He faced a tough Commons session, ordered an inquiry, and the sacked FCDO chief will testify, amid unease on Labour’s benches.
The PM faces calls to quit amid claims of a cover‑up over the Mandelson vetting row. He told MPs civil servants’ actions were “staggering” and denied wrongdoing, while opponents, including Kemi Badenoch, say he breached the ministerial code and must take responsibility.