The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has issued a sharp rebuke to the UK government, revealing that ministers are withholding Peter Mandelson's security vetting file despite lacking the legal authority to do so. This extraordinary intervention accuses the government of failing to comply with parliament's will regarding the release of documents related to Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador in December 2024.
Background of the Dispute
In February, parliament passed a humble address requiring the government to publicly release all papers relevant to Mandelson's appointment. The government pledged to comply but said documents potentially prejudicial to national security or international relations would first be reviewed by the ISC. However, the committee now states it has not received all relevant documents, notably the vetting file from UK Security Vetting (UKSV), which recommended denying Mandelson's security clearance in January 2025.
Key Events
- UKSV recommended denial of Mandelson's developed vetting (DV) clearance.
- Then-Foreign Office permanent secretary Olly Robbins overruled this advice, granting clearance without viewing the file.
- Robbins, later sacked by Keir Starmer, admitted pressure from Downing Street but claimed it did not influence his decision.
- The ISC says the humble address does not allow withholding documents from parliament.
Government's Response Under Fire
The ISC also criticized the government's broad redactions, arguing they exceed the scope of the humble address, which only permits redactions for international relations or national security. The committee warned that additional redactions—such as removing personal data of third parties or commercially sensitive information—are being applied "far too broadly" and require parliamentary approval. No body has been tasked to review these extra redactions.
Broader Concerns
The ISC expressed alarm at the "extraordinary" use of unofficial channels like WhatsApp for government business, noting a lack of audit trails in the Foreign Office. It stated, "This is unacceptable in government." The committee also condemned the failure to act on security advice, saying, "Proper security concerns cannot be dismissed simply because they are inconvenient."
Political Fallout
The controversy has cast a shadow over Starmer's premiership, with calls for his resignation following Labour's poor local election results. Shadow chancellor Alex Burghart accused Labour of a cover-up, stating, "It is outrageous that Labour are trying to withhold documents about the Mandelson-Epstein affair from parliament." The Cabinet Office has been approached for comment.
