Starmer’s Security Vetting Controversy: Unveiling the Overruled Decision for US Ambassador Role

Keir Starmer is currently navigating a new controversy involving Peter Mandelson, amid reports that the peer did not initially pass security vetting for his role as the US ambassador.

Mandelson, a key figure in New Labour’s development, reportedly faced a setback in January 2025 when he was initially denied developed vetting clearance, just weeks following the Prime Minister’s formal announcement of his appointment.

As reported by the Guardian, the Foreign Office intervened by invoking a seldom-used authority to override the security officials’ recommendation.

Despite Parliament’s demand for the government to disclose documents related to the vetting process, the information regarding Mandelson’s initial clearance denial had not been previously made public.

Starmer has previously stated that Mandelson underwent ‘security vetting, carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role.’

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘Last September, Keir Starmer told Parliament three times that ”full due process” was followed over the appointment of Lord Mandelson. 

‘We now know the Prime Minister misled the House. The Prime Minister must take responsibility.’ 

Mandelson is said to have been initially denied clearance in January 2025 – weeks after the PM had officially announced his appointment 

Keir Starmer is facing a fresh Mandelson storm today amid claims the peer failed security vetting before becoming US ambassador

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir ‘misled the House’ over Mandelson’s vetting process

A three-page ‘due diligence’ report supplied to Sir Keir on December 11, 2024 flagged the ties between Mandelson and Epstein

The claims risk reviving the furore that already came close to exploding Sir Keir’s premiership in February.

Labour MPs have been up in arms that Mandelson was given the key job despite long-standing ties to Epstein.

The Guardian cited multiple sources for the claim, and it is not known whether the PM was aware his pick for ambassador had not been approved by the UKSV agency. 

It is also not clear who in the Foreign Office made the apparent decision to overrule UKSV, or whether Mandelson himself knew of the issue. 

Olly Robbins is believed to have been the permanent secretary at the time, while Deputy PM David Lammy was Foreign Secretary. 

In another potentially incendiary claim, the Guardian said senior Government officials have been considering whether to withhold documents about the refusal from Parliament. 

Labour MPs rebelled to insist on the publication of a huge range of material about the process, and the cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee is meant to be having the final say on what is too sensitive for publication. 

At an event in East Sussex on February 5, Sir Keir said: ‘There was a due diligence exercise that culminated in questions being asked because I wanted to know the answer to certain issues.

‘That’s why those questions were asked. The answer to those questions were not truthful.

‘There was then, I should add, security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.

‘Clearly, both the due diligence and the security vetting need to be looked at again.

‘I’ve already strengthened the due process. I think we need to look at the security vetting because it now transpires that what was being said was not true. And had I known then, what I know now, I’d never have appointed him in the first place.’

On September 16 last year, Yvette Cooper – by then Foreign Secretary – and Sir Olly wrote to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in response to questions about the vetting.

‘Peter Mandelson’s security vetting was conducted to the usual standard set for developed vetting in line with established Cabinet Office policy,’ the letter said.

However, it did not mention that UKSV had initially refused clearance. 

It previously emerged that Sir Keir did not speak to Mandelson personally before appointing him as US ambassador.

The PM is said to have left his aides to ask questions about his ties to Epstein.

That was despite being presented with evidence that their friendship had continued after the financier was jailed.

National security adviser Jonathan Powell also expressed misgivings during the process.

However, Sir Keir went ahead, after apparently agreeing with chief of staff Morgan McSweeney on three questions that Mandelson needed to be asked.

Mr McSweeney resigned in February saying he took full responsibility for the appointment going ahead. 

Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, having been accused of passing sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary under Gordon Brown.

He was subsequently bailed, but later handed his passport back and freed under investigation. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing or acting for personal gain.