Starmer was kept in dark about Mandelson’s vetting by two top civil servants
Starmer kept in dark about Mandelson's security vetting failure by top officials.
The Guardian World1 min read
Starmer should face Commons inquiry over Mandelson vetting, says Ed Davey
TL;DR
Ed Davey has called for an inquiry into Keir Starmer over his handling of Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington. The investigation would assess whether Starmer misled parliament regarding Mandelson's security clearance.
Key points
- Ed Davey calls for inquiry into Keir Starmer's actions
- Investigation to assess if Starmer misled parliament
- Mandelson's security clearance was controversially overruled
- Starmer sacked Olly Robbins over the vetting issue
- Contempt of parliament could lead to ministerial resignation
Mentioned in this story
Ed DaveyKeir StarmerPeter Mandelsonprivileges committee
A powerful Commons committee should investigate whether Keir Starmer misled parliament over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, Ed Davey has said.
The Liberal Democrat leader called for the prime minister to be investigated by the privileges committee to determine whether he committed contempt of parliament, an offence that can lead to a ministerial resignation.
The prime minister is under mounting pressure to explain what he knew about the pre-appointment process, after the Guardian revealed security officials recommended the former Labour peer be denied security clearance, but were overruled.
On Thursday night, Starmer sacked Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office. On Friday morning, Darren Jones, the prime minister’s chief secretary, described the controversy as a “failing of the state”.
Davey said on Friday: “We need to get to the bottom of exactly what Keir Starmer knew when, and whether he intentionally misled parliament over this appalling scandal. The public deserves the truth, not another cover-up.
“If it turns out that Starmer was aware at the time that Mandelson’s security vetting was overruled, that would represent a major abuse of power and a betrayal of the national interest.
“Boris Johnson eventually resigned after misleading parliament. If Starmer has done the same, he must be held to the same standard.”
The Lib Dems will push for the Commons to debate a motion on Monday to open a privileges committee inquiry. Johnson resigned as an MP in 2023 after that committee found he had deliberately misled parliament.
Downing Street says the prime minister did not know until this week that Mandelson had failed his security vetting. Starmer will appear before parliament on Monday to explain his version of events.
Jones said on Friday: “The prime minister is as furious as everybody else, because he would expect … to have been told that UK security vetting did not recommend Peter Mandelson to be appointed.
“He’s furious with the state. I mean, this is a failing of the state. It is a security failing.
Jones added that he had suspended the power of civil servants to override the recommendations of vetting officials.
Q&A
What did Ed Davey say about Keir Starmer's actions regarding Peter Mandelson?
Ed Davey called for an investigation into whether Keir Starmer misled parliament about Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington.
What is the significance of the privileges committee investigation?
The privileges committee investigation could determine if Starmer committed contempt of parliament, which may lead to a ministerial resignation.
Why was Peter Mandelson's security clearance controversial?
Security officials recommended denying Peter Mandelson security clearance, but this decision was overruled, raising questions about the appointment process.
What actions did Keir Starmer take in response to the Mandelson vetting controversy?
Keir Starmer sacked Olly Robbins, the top civil servant at the Foreign Office, amid the controversy surrounding Mandelson's vetting.
