Starmer to correct record to MPs over Mandelson vetting, Sky News understands
Sir Keir Starmer will go to the House of Commons on Monday to correct the record about the vetting of Peter Mandelson, Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby understands.
The prime minister is expected to make a statement to MPs correcting his previous statements that Lord Mandelson had been granted developed vetting clearance.
The statement will come after Downing Street admitted that Starmer’s choice for ambassador to the US failed his security vetting for the role.
However, Number 10 says officials in the Foreign Office had decided to overrule the decision and grant him clearance, but that Starmer only found out on Tuesday.
Beth reports that the PM has been “trying to get answers about what happened” since he found out.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The prime minister has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process.”
Sir Keir Starmer says it’s “unforgivable” and “staggering” he wasn’t told Peter Mandelson was denied security clearance and that decision was overturned by the Foreign Office.
The prime minister says he is “absolutely furious”.
“I was not told that he had failed security vetting, no minister was told… Number 10 wasn’t told, that is completely unacceptable,” he told broadcasters.
Criticising officials, the PM says: “It is totally unacceptable that the prime minister making an appointment is not told that security vetting has been failed.”
Starmer adds he will “set out all the relevant facts in true transparency” to parliament on Monday.
The prime minister is facing calls to resign, after accusations he misled MPs when he said “due process” was followed for Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
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