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Mandelson scandal is biggest crisis for diplomatic service in decades, says ex-Foreign Office chief

Mandelson despite concerns raised by the civil service was made by the prime minister. He said: “The whole posting was controversial. By the time Olly Robbins became permanent secretary in the Foreign Office

Senior official ousted over Mandelson security row to face MPs

Foreign Office official ousted after it emerged Peter Mandelson was granted a security clearance despite concerns

Key questions facing government over Mandelson vetting

concerns were? And alongside that - why did officials in the Foreign Office make the decision to go ahead with the appointment? Lord Mandelson

Why Starmer still can't move on from the Mandelson mess

concerns had already been shared with No 10. But Starmer had decided to go ahead anyway, and the White House was expecting Mandelson. As the now former top mandarin at the Foreign Office

Ministers urged to share Mandelson vetting files with intelligence committee

Mandelson a “high concern”. The Cabinet Office on Friday published a template of that file on its website.  The Cabinet Office released this

Starmer was kept in dark about Mandelson’s vetting by two top civil servants

concerns UKSV had about Mandelson and recommended, in conclusion, that he should not be given security clearance. It was that recommendation that was overruled by the Foreign Office

Foreign secretary concerned ministers not told of Mandelson vetting fears sooner

Mandelson as US ambassador. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign from opposition parties and is due to answer questions on the scandal in Parliament on Monday. The Foreign Office

Starmer faces Commons showdown over Mandelson vetting scandal

Mandelson was able to take up his role as UK ambassador without the Foreign Office revealing it had overruled the decision to fail his vetting. The scandal, [first revealed by the Guardian last week

What is Developed Vetting security clearance at centre of Mandelson row?

Foreign Office against the recommendation of the government's vetting agency when he was made US ambassador. The government is under intense pressure to explain how Mandelson came to be granted Developed Vetting (DV) status

Revealed: Mandelson failed vetting but Foreign Office overruled decision

Office that his security clearance had been “confirmed”. It is not known whether he was ever informed that UKSV had not approved his application. In November 2025, after Mandelson’s resignation, MPs on the foreign

Starmer should face Commons inquiry over Mandelson vetting, says Ed Davey

Mandelson’s vetting process. It seems there were,” she said. “Who overrode these concerns? Why were we kept in the dark? People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.” Downing Street

Officials debate withholding Mandelson vetting documents from parliament

Foreign Office’s decision to override it. The ultimate decision will rest with the Cabinet Office. But sources said officials were split over how to proceed, with some arguing the materials should be withheld, despite

Olly Robbins is just the latest: a guide to the high-profile exits under Starmer’s tenure

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is the latest departure of an official or minister under Keir Starmer’s two-year tenure as prime minister. Here we take a look at some of the most

Starmer would have blocked Mandelson role over vetting failure, says Lammy

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] to conduct a full review of all the information that the department has given to your committee on the security vetting process undertaken as part of Lord Mandelson’s appointment

Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable he was not told Mandelson failed vetting

concerns among senior members of the government about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein even after the financier had been convicted of child trafficking. He was [sacked by Starmer](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/11/keir-starmer-sacks-peter-mandelson-over-jeffrey-epstein-revelations) last year after emails

Olly Robbins and Mandelson’s vetting: what did he do, why – and who knew?

Office, Sir Olly Robbins – suddenly appeared a little tense. The bonhomie evident in earlier answers had quite disappeared. It was 3 November 2025, and Peter Mandelson had been removed from his post as ambassador