Starmer blames Foreign Office over revelations Mandelson failed security vetting

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he was not told Lord Peter Mandelson had failed the security vetting process for his appointment as ambassador to Washington (Tom Nicholson/PA) - (PA Wire)

Downing Street has blamed Foreign Office officials for clearing Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington despite the peer failing security vetting.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to resign over revelations that specialists from UK Security Vetting had recommended against giving Lord Mandelson the necessary security clearance.