Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed shock over not being informed that Lord Peter Mandelson failed initial security vetting before his appointment as UK ambassador to the US, calling the oversight "staggering" and "unforgivable."
Speaking to journalists in Paris on Friday, Starmer revealed he only learned this week that vetting officers had recommended against Mandelson's appointment—a decision overruled by the Foreign Office without ministerial knowledge. "That I wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting when he was appointed is staggering," Starmer stated. "That I wasn't told that he had failed security vetting when I was telling Parliament that due process had been followed is unforgivable."
"Not only was I not told, no minister was told, and I'm absolutely furious about that. What I intend to do is to go to Parliament on Monday to set out all the relevant facts in true transparency, so Parliament has the full picture."
The revelation, first reported by The Guardian on Thursday, has triggered immediate political fallout. Opposition leaders are demanding Starmer's resignation, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch declaring the situation "completely preposterous" and asserting that "all roads lead to resignation." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for a Privileges Committee investigation into whether Starmer intentionally misled Parliament.
Senior minister Darren Jones defended the Prime Minister, explaining that rules at the time of Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 did not require ministers to be informed about security vetting decisions. Jones stated Starmer only became aware of the issue this week when documents became available as part of the process of selecting material for release to MPs.
Mandelson's tenure as ambassador lasted just seven months before his dismissal in September 2025 over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Foreign Office's unilateral decision to override vetting recommendations has raised serious questions about accountability and transparency in high-level political appointments.
Foreign Affairs select committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry has summoned Sir Olly Robbins, who headed the Foreign Office during the appointment, to give evidence next week. Robbins was effectively sacked by Starmer on Thursday night as the scandal unfolded.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has joined opposition calls for Starmer's resignation, calling Mandelson "a traitor to his party and country" and describing the scandal as "the tipping point." The SNP, Green Party, and Reform UK have also demanded Starmer step down.
Starmer has pledged to address Parliament on Monday with a full account of the facts, seeking to restore confidence amid growing political pressure and questions about his government's handling of sensitive security matters.