Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is set to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week to answer questions about his involvement in the security vetting of Lord Mandelson. McSweeney, who advised Starmer to appoint Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US, will likely face scrutiny over whether he pressured civil servants to expedite the process.
This development follows explosive testimony from Sir Olly Robbins, the former senior Foreign Office civil servant who was dismissed last week. Robbins told the committee that No. 10 displayed a "dismissive" attitude toward security protocols—an allegation Downing Street has firmly denied. He described facing "an atmosphere of pressure" to complete Mandelson's clearance, despite being informed the case was "borderline" with risks that could potentially be managed.
"Under civil service guidance, I would not have been allowed to tell the prime minister about details of the vetting, only my final decision on the case," Robbins testified, explaining why Starmer claims he was unaware of the concerns.
The controversy centers on Mandelson, who was appointed ambassador despite security reservations from the UK Security and Vetting (UKSV) team. Seven months into his Washington posting, Mandelson was dismissed due to his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little, who previously confirmed to Starmer that UKSV had raised concerns while the Foreign Office granted clearance, will also testify on Thursday. Committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry has additionally summoned Foreign Office security chief Ian Collard and former top civil servant Sir Philip Barton.
Political fallout continues to escalate, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accusing Starmer of making Robbins "the fall guy for his own failings." Reform leader Nigel Farage echoed this sentiment, stating, "This Prime Minister sacks everybody around him and never takes the blame for anything."
Meanwhile, Labour MP Jonathan Brash told GB News, "I don't think anyone reasonably expects the prime minister to lead the party into the next election," reflecting growing discontent within Starmer's own party.
Defending himself at Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer insisted, "If the Foreign Office had told me about the vetting concerns, Mandelson would not have been committed to post."
Former senior civil servants have expressed alarm that Robbins' dismissal could damage relations between ministers and the civil service. Lord Butler, who led the service from 1988 to 1998, warned the episode has done "a great deal of harm" to the necessary "mutual respect" between officials and politicians.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added to the criticism, telling BBC Newsnight, "This situation is going to really damage trust between officials and ministers... If there's a breakdown of trust, that just makes everything harder and slower."
McSweeney resigned from Downing Street in February, taking "full responsibility" for recommending Mandelson's appointment. His upcoming testimony promises to shed further light on a scandal that continues to challenge Starmer's leadership and judgment.