- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will be unable to block the publication of sensitive documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington, the government has confirmed.
- This decision follows a parliamentary order for the release of a vast number of papers, prompted by scrutiny over the peer's vetting process and his connections to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
- Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has asserted its authority, stating that officials confirmed "in writing" after a meeting on Thursday that the committee holds the final say on which documents will be made public.
- While some of the thousands of documents are anticipated to be withheld due to national security concerns, it will be the ISC, rather than government ministers, that ultimately determines the extent of any redactions.
- In a statement, following the ISC’s meeting with Cabinet Office officials on Thursday morning, it said: “Officials have now confirmed in writing to the Committee that the decision as to whether material referred to the ISC is published is for the Committee alone. The Prime Minister – or anyone else in Government – will not be able to overrule the Committee’s decision to publish material that has been referred to it.” Lord Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing.
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