Lammy Claims Starmer Would Have Vetoed Mandelson Appointment Over Vetting Failure
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has asserted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would have prevented Peter Mandelson from becoming the UK's ambassador to Washington had he known about Mandelson's failure in security vetting. Lammy described the situation as "inexplicable," particularly criticizing former top civil servant Oliver Robbins for not informing Downing Street of the vetting outcome.
Shock and Surprise Over Vetting Oversight
In his first public remarks on the controversy, Lammy expressed being "shocked and surprised" upon learning last week that the Foreign Office had overruled a decision to deny Mandelson security clearance. He emphasized that neither he, his advisers, Starmer, nor Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper were aware of the vetting process or its conclusions until recently, despite some time pressures to confirm Mandelson's appointment as Donald Trump re-entered the White House.
Lammy recalled a dramatic moment when he was summoned via radio on a military flight from the Middle East, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. He firmly stated that in his years in government, no official had ever discussed vetting details with him, making this case memorable.
Political Fallout and Election Concerns
The Mandelson scandal has intensified pressure on Starmer, who faces MPs to address the damage to his premiership. Lammy suggested that the upcoming local elections could be challenging for Labour, with polls predicting poor results, and he regretted the renewed focus on the vetting row amid public concerns over cost of living and public services.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for full transparency, urging Starmer to publish the initial due diligence report on Mandelson. Meanwhile, the foreign affairs committee has initiated a review of information provided on the vetting process.
Civil Service Role and Speculation
Oliver Robbins, who was forced out of the Foreign Office this week, reportedly received the vetting outcome after Mandelson's appointment was announced. Allies claim Robbins followed rules to keep vetting confidential from ministers, while insiders speculate he acted on expectations or that mitigations were already in place. Lammy, who appointed Robbins, praised him as an "outstanding" civil servant but expressed surprise at the circumstances.
This vetting failure marks one of the most significant crises for the UK diplomatic service in decades, raising questions about accountability and transparency in high-level appointments.
