Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Brydie Monaghan

Mandelson crisis shows Starmer is ‘either a fool or a knave’, says former chancellor

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has said there is “no way questions wouldn’t have been raised” when The Independent’s political editor David Maddox asked for details about Peter Mandelson’s security vetting.

David Maddox sent a text to Downing Street’s Director of Communications, Tim Allan, in September 2025 after two sources told him Mandelson had failed his vetting.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.