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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Martin Belam

Monday briefing: How is it possible the prime minister didn’t know about Mandelson’s vetting failure?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Peter Mandelson standing together in formal attire
Did Keir Starmer really not know that Peter Mandelson had failed vetting? Photograph: Carl Court/PA

Good morning. Today the prime minister will face parliament in the wake of the Guardian’s exclusive revelation that during the process of appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, the former New Labour “prince of darkness” failed UK security vetting – something Keir Starmer says he was not told about.

On Friday, Starmer said he was “absolutely furious” and described the situation as “totally unacceptable”. But the episode has once again raised questions about his political judgment, with opposition parties – and some of his own MPs – calling for his resignation.

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