Sir Keir Starmer is bracing for another day under scrutiny as former top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins prepares to answer MPs questions on the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Sir Olly was sacked from his post as head of the Foreign Office last week, with the prime minister blaming him for deliberately keeping him in the dark over Lord Mandelson’s failure to pass security vetting check.
Sir Keir told the Commons on Monday that he would not have appointed Lord Mandelson if he had known the peer had failed the checks and insisted there was no pressure from No 10 to push through the high-profile appointment.
However, on Tuesday morning, Sir Olly will give MPs his version of events when he appears in front of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Times reports that he is expected to reveal he did not see the formal recommendation by the UK Security Vetting body that Mandelson should not be given clearance, and that there was pressure to make the appointment. A Whitehall source also told the newspaper that Sir Olly will “not hold back” in defence of his actions.
Also on Tuesday, the prime minister will face further scrutiny during an emergency debate in the Commons on the scandal after a request submitted by Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch was approved.
Key Points
- Starmer: I should not have appointed Mandelson
- 'It beggars belief' I wasn't told of vetting failure, says PM
- Analysis: Why The Independent’s evidence from last September is a problem for Starmer
- Documents show Starmer was advised Mandelson should be vetted before appointment
- Analysis: Starmer will survive the Mandelson vetting scandal - but not for long
- Emergency debate on Mandelson appointment will take place on Tuesday
Sir Olly Robbins set to speak over Mandelson appointment
05:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe man who has been blamed for the failure to inform the prime minister of Lord Peter Mandelson’s failed security vetting will answer questions from MPs on Tuesday.
Sir Olly Robbins will speak to the Foreign Affairs Committee later today.
He was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer last week after Downing Street said the PM had “lost confidence” in him.
He is understood to be “heartbroken” over the decision, with reports he is seeking legal advice on how to proceed.
Full timeline of how Mandelson appointment scandal unfolded as Starmer claims he did not ‘mislead’ MPs
04:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has denied misleading Parliament following extraordinary revelations that Lord Peter Mandelson failed security vetting before his appointment as US ambassador.
The disclosures have sparked fresh questions about who knew what, and when, regarding the peer’s controversial Washington posting and its fallout.
You can read the full timeline of events below:
Watch: Badenoch raises The Independent’s Mandelson revelation in six key questions to PM
03:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWho is Olly Robbins? Meet the former top civil servant to give evidence after being sacked by Starmer over Mandelson vetting scandal
02:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Olly Robbins is set to answer questions from MPs on Tuesday over allegations he failed to inform Sir Keir Starmer that Lord Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting.
The former mandarin was sacked from his role in the Foreign Office last week following revelations that the department overruled security vetting for Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US.
But who is he, and what can we expect from his evidence?
You can read more below:
Who is Olly Robbins? The man sacked over Mandelson vetting scandal
Farage’s claim that Reform’s plan to deport refugees will save UK billions ‘not remotely credible’
01:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAway from the scandal surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment, experts have blasted Reform UK’s immigration numbers as “not remotely credible”.
The party has vowed to review every successful asylum in the past five years and remove anyone found to have entered the country on a small boat or overstayed their visa, under its plans for an ICE-style deportation agency.
It estimates that 400,000 people would be affected, with the majority deported, saving £14.3bn over the next five-year parliament and £137bn overall.
But But Jonathan Portes, economics professor at King’s College London and the former chief economist at the Cabinet Office, doesn’t agree.
You can read Kate Devlin’s full report below:
Farage’s claim Reform’s migrant policy will save billions ‘not remotely credible’
Recap: Two MPs ejected from Commons for accusing Starmer of ‘lying’ over Mandelson appointment
00:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneReform UK’s Lee Anderson and Your Party’s Zarah Sultana were both ejected from the House of Commons on Monday after accusing Sir Keir Starmer of lying.
The accusations came during a statement on Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Ashfield MP Mr Anderson was ordered to leave by the Commons Speaker after asserting Sir Keir had “been lying” throughout the scandal, and complied.
Later, Ms Sultana initially refused the Speaker's offer to depart after branding Sir Keir a “bare-faced liar”. Her defiance led to her being “named” by the Commons Speaker, a procedure that can lead to suspension.
House of Commons rules prohibit MPs from accusing one another of lying or deliberately misleading.
You can read more below:
Two MPs ejected from Commons for accusing Starmer of ‘lying’ over Mandelson
Newsnight asks: Did PM not check whether Mandelson concerns were right?
23:43 , James ReynoldsOn BBC Newsnight on Monday, Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds was presented with The Independent’s front page story from last September, reporting on concerns Peter Mandelson had been appointed despite not clearing vetting.
Victoria Derbyshire asked the minister whether, at any stage, Keir Starmer had asked whether it was true that Lord Mandelson had failed the process.
She asked: “Did the prime minister not ask the Foreign Office: ‘Is it true Lord Mandelson failed security vetting?’”
Mr Thomas-Symonds failed to answer the specific question, but said “Number 10 has been asking those questions.”
"Did the prime minister ask the question himself ever?"@vicderbyshire asks Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds if Sir Keir Starmer questioned whether Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before being made US ambassador.#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/iZ1zTqAScR
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) April 20, 2026
Final hour to register to vote in local elections
23:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneYou have just one hour left to register to vote in local elections across England, Scotland, and Wales in May.
The polls will elect members to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd in Wales. In England, a substantial 5,013 council seats are contested across 136 local authorities, alongside elections for six local mayors.
This marks England's largest local election cycle in three years, complementing the 2021 parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales.
Applications can be submitted online at gov.uk/registertovote.
ISC chairman urges government to 'expedite' Mandelson disclosures
22:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) chairman has urged the government to “expedite” the disclosure of information related to the Foreign Office’s handling of Lord Mandelson’s vetting.
Labour peer Lord Beamish said: “We’ve now got the vetting documentation to consider but what about the decision-making process within the Foreign Office to reject the recommendation of the vetting, or the failure to vet, Peter Mandelson?
“Again, I’ve been told by the Cabinet Office nothing exists.
“Well, can I stress to (Lords Leader Baroness Smith of Basildon) that if it does exist, could she somehow expedite that information to ensure it gets to the ISC as quickly as possible?”
In her response, Lady Smith said: “It may be that there are documents that weren’t available in the first tranche but they should be available in the second or later, because it’s been very clear to everybody – I think the prime minister (Sir Keir Starmer) was extremely clear on this today – that all information should be available, and the humble address should be complied with in full.”
Committee told documemnts about Mandelson's vetting 'didn't exist'
22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) was told documents about Lord Peter Mandelson’s vetting “didn’t exist”, its chairman has said.
The ISC is tasked with looking at potentially sensitive documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US, while the government publishes less sensitive documents.
Lord Beamish said: “In February of this year, we asked the Cabinet Office to prioritise all the documentation relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
“When we received that information, there was no documentation concerning his vetting. We raised this with the Cabinet Office, only to be told that it didn’t exist.
“The Guardian on Thursday last week indicated that the document did exist. We’ve now received that and will be considering it this week at one of our meetings.”
Sketch: Keir Starmer is the man who knew too little… which is one thing we can be sure of
21:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Keir Starmer is the man who knew too little… which is one thing we can be sure of
Recap: Starmer faces 'one of the worst crises in relations between ministers and mandarins'
21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe prime minister is facing on of the “worst crises in relations between ministers and mandarins of modern times”, a former cabinet secretary has said.
Mandarins is a term used for high-ranking senior civil servants who help ministers to shape policy.
Gus O’Donnell said that the dismissal of Sir Olly Robbins, the former Foreign Office head, risks having a “serious and sustained chilling effect” on serving civil servants.
Sir Olly was sacked from his role after it emerged he had not informed Sir Keir Starmer that Lord Peter Mandelson had failed his vetting for his role as US ambassador.
Mr O’Donnell wrote in The Times that Sir Keir and his new cabinet secretary Dame Antonia Romeo must ensure that rebuilding the relationship with civil service heads is “one of their very top priorities”.
Watch: Starmer says it “beggars belief” he wasn’t told about latest Mandelson revelations
20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Olly Robbins believed telling Starmer of UKSV recommendation could be national security risk, reports say
20:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Olly Robbins is expected to tell MPs on Tuesday he was concerned that telling the prime minister Lord Peter Mandelson had failed a security vetting could be a national security risk, according to reports.
The Telegraph has said Sir Olly is expected to suggest telling the PM could have undermined confidence in the confidentiality of such processes when he gives evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Starmer grilled over Independent front page on Mandelson vetting failure amid desperate fight for survival
20:04 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEvidence from The Independent left the prime minister facing serious questions over what he knew about Peter Mandelson failing security checks before his appointment to become ambassador to the US.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and a number of MPs asked the prime minister why he did not take action when The Independent contacted his then director of communications Tim Allan about Lord Mandelson failing the vetting and then ran a front page story.
In a grim outing in the Commons for Sir Keir, the prime minister insisted he, all his ministers and Downing Street only found out that UK Security Vetting had advised Lord Mandelson should be denied clearance on Tuesday evening last week, describing the situation as “incredible” and said it “beggars belief”.
Political editor David Maddox, who first reported Lord Mandelson’s failed security vetting, has the full story:
Starmer grilled over Independent front page on Mandelson amid fight for survival
Former head of Foreign Office expected to be grilled by MPs
19:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe former head of the Foreign Office will be called before MPs to speak about the Mandelson vetting scandal on Tuesday.
Sir Olly Robbins was effectively sacked last week over his handling of Lord Mandelson’s vetting process to be US ambassador.
Sir Olly will reportedly mount a staunch defence of his decision to approve Lord Mandelson’s appointment when he gives evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee tomorrow, which could throw Sir Keir’s government into further disarray.
A friend of Sir Olly told The Times that he was furious at the way he had been treated and was prepared to make clear to MPs that he had followed the correct procedure when he apparently kept Sir Keir in the dark about the vetting failure.
Emergency debate on Mandelson will take place on Tuesday
19:21 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAn emergency debate on the government’s accountability in relation to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson will take place in the Commons on Tuesday, following an application by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Who has called for Sir Keir Starmer to step down?
19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneOpposition leaders have called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign, with Kemi Badenoch claiming it is “simply not possible” Sir Keir wasn’t aware Lord Mandelson had failed his vetting process.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said the situation shows “catastrophically poor judgement” and said that the evidence suggests that Sir Keir misled the public and parliament.
Green leader Zack Polanski has said that the revelations should lead to Sir Keir’s resignations, adding: “Any other outcome would be an absurd scenario where this Labour government - and all in it - would be laughing in our faces”.
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has said that the prime minister “has misled parliament”, adding that he has “lied to the public”. He said: “Enough is enough. It’s time to get Starmer out”.
How the Mandelson vetting scandal unfolded after The Independent’s revelation was published
18:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer is once again at the centre of a political storm over his ill-considered appointment of Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador.
The latest chapter of the scandal has revealed that the former Labour peer was granted developed vetting status by the Foreign Office – despite UK Security Vetting (UKSV) advising against the appointment.
Downing Street has denied that anyone in No 10 – including the prime minister – was aware that Mandelson had failed UKSV vetting until recently.
But questions have been raised about the extent of knowledge within Downing Street, after it was revealed that The Independent had made No 10 aware of claims Mandelson had failed vetting last September.
You can read how the scandal unfolded below:
How the Mandelson vetting scandal unfolded after Independent’s story was published
Starmer finishes taking questions
18:09 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has finished taking questions from MPs on the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson - at least for today.
The prime minister did not shy away from apologising for appointing Lord Mandelson despite knowledge of his relationship with Epstein, but said it was “staggering” he had not been told Lord Mandelson failed his security vetting.
Analysis: Why The Independent’s evidence from last September is a problem for Starmer
17:54 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs he set out his defence to the House of Commons, Keir Starmer was asked multiple times by MPs, including the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, about The Independent’s front page story on 12 September last year that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting.
More damaging still are the Whatsapp messages sent by this publication to the then director of communications in Downing Street Tim Allan raising the issue on 11 September.
This has been described by a number of civil servants and senior politicians as the “smoking gun” in the entire scandal, because it is at odds with the prime minister’s own assessment.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and Whitehall editor Kate Devlin set out why the evidence is so important below:
Why The Independent’s evidence from last September is a problem for Starmer
Zarah Sultana removed from House of Commons after calling Starmer 'bare-faced liar'
17:42 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Lindsay Hoyle has removed Your Party MP Zarah Sultana from the House of Commons after she would not withdraw the claim that Sir Keir Starmer is a “bare-faced liar”.
Liberal Democrat MP cites Independent exclusive over Mandelson's failed vetting
17:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLiberal Democrat MP has cited The Independent’s exclusive report that Lord Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting in the Commons.
He said The Independent first reported Lord Mandelson had failed the check on 12 September.
On 16 September the same claim was made in the Commons, he said.
“Hearing this information, did the minister or the prime minister feel the need to ask if the specific claim there was true, and in the response that was given, that DV clearance was granted by the FCDO, as a KC how did he not see the clear difference between the question that was asked and the answer that was given?”, he asked.
No 10 officials carried out 'right procedure', Starmer says
17:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has said that his officials carried out the “right procedure” in the last few weeks once the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary became aware that Lord Mandelson had failed his security vetting.
The prime minister said: “Nobody in Number 10 was informed about UKSV’s (United Kingdom Security Vetting) recommendation.
“The Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary did receive information recently and then sought the necessary and legal advice.
“Once those checks were completed by the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, I was told.
“That is in the last two weeks or so. That was entirely the right procedure – to get the legal advice and then to bring it to my attention at the first opportunity.
“It was the right procedure that was followed by my officials in the last few weeks.”
Sir Olly Robbins did not believe he was allowed to tell Starmer of vetting outcome, PM says
17:05 , Nicole Wootton-CanePrime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins did not tell him the recommendation of United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) because he did not believe he was allowed to.
Sir Keir told MPs: “He (Sir Olly) should have provided this information to me, and he could have provided it to me.
“He’s giving evidence tomorrow, but I can say to the House that, when I spoke to him on Thursday, his view to me was that he couldn’t provide this information to me, because he wasn’t allowed to provide information to me.
“I don’t want to put words in his mouth, because it’s very important he gives his own evidence.”
The prime minister added: “What he (Sir Olly) said to me was, essentially, that he took the view that this process did not allow him to disclose to me the recommendation of UKSV.
“No doubt he’ll be asked further questions about that. That is the reason that he gave to me.”
Sir Keir earlier said that he asked Sir Olly why he did not disclose the information, and that he “did not accept his explanation”.
Watch: Keir Starmer sets out timeline of Peter Mandelson vetting process
17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneReform UK MP kicked out of chamber for accusing Starmer of lying
16:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Lee Anderson has been asked to leave the Commons after he accused Sir Keir Starmer of lying about Peter Mandelson’s vetting process.
The Reform UK MP said: “The problem the prime minister has got is no one believes him…so does the prime minister agree with me he’s been lying.”
When asked by the Speaker to withdraw the accusation, he refused and added: “that man couldn’t lie straight in bed.”
Analysis: Why The Independent’s evidence from last September is a problem for Starmer
16:44 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Keir Starmer has now been asked multiple times by MPs in the Commons including Tory leader about The Independent’s front page story on 12 September last year that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting.
More damaging are the WhatsApp messages to the then director of communications in Downing Street Tim Allan raising the issue on 11 September.
The reason this has been described by a number of civil servants and senior politicians as the “smoking gun” is because it is at odds with the prime minister’s own assessment.
Sir Keir claimed that he, his ministers and Downing Street only found out about the security vetting failure last week. But The Independent informed Downing Street’s most senior security official months before.
It also raises serious questions about what the prime minister was told in September by his then director of communications.
In normal circumstances these issues are raised through the system and lead to investigations about the truth. Most crucially they are raised with the prime minister and should have been a red flag.
But it seems that nothing happened and the warnings were ignored.
PM does not rise to suggestions No 10 bounced into confirming Mandelson appointment through leak
16:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer did not respond to suggestions No 10 had been bounced into confirming Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador after the appointment was leaked.
This was raised by chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Dame Emily Thornberry, who said: “Somebody, probably Peter Mandelson himself, leaked to the press his appointment as US ambassador, effectively bouncing the Government into confirming it.
“But then when the confirmation did come forward about his appointment, it did not make clear that it was subject to vetting in either the offer letter to Peter Mandelson or in the government’s press release.
“I am afraid to say, doesn’t this look like for certain members of the Prime Minister’s team, getting Peter Mandelson the job was a priority that overrode everything else, and that security considerations were very much second order?”
In his response, the prime minister repeated that he would not have made the appointment had he been told that he failed security vetting.
He added: “A deliberate decision was taken to withhold that material. This was not a lack of asking. This wasn’t an oversight. It was a decision … taken not to share that information on repeated occasions.”
Another Mandelson debate could take place tomorrow, reports suggest
16:35 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA second debate on Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador could be held tomorrow, it has been reported.
Sky News has said it believes Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch will apply for an emergency debate on the scandal to be held on Tuesday, and that the debate is likely to be granted.
Watch: Starmer says 'I should not have appointed Mandelson'
16:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneStarmer says there was ‘deliberate decision’ on ‘repeated occasions’ not to tell him about Mandelson’s vetting
16:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Sir Keir has told MPs there had been a "deliberate decision", that was taken on "repeated occasions", not to tell him about Lord Peter Mandelson's failure to pass security vetting.
“A deliberate decision was taken to withhold that material,” he told MPs, “this was not a lack of asking. This wasn't an oversight. It was a decision.”
That decision was taken by officials in the Foreign Office, he told MPs, who could have revealed the failure a number of times before last week, when the PM says that he found out.
Mandelson's appointment before vetting 'unprecedented', Badenoch insists
16:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneConservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed it is “extraordinary and unprecedented” for Lord Peter Mandelson to be appointed US ambassador before his security clearance was granted, contrary to what the prime minister said.
Mrs Badenoch said: “We know that the prime minister announced the appointment before vetting was complete, an extraordinary and unprecedented step for the role of US ambassador.
“The prime minister says that it was usual for this because it was a political appointment.
“So I will remind him and the rest of the Labour front bench who were heckling that Peter Mandelson was a politician who had been sacked twice from government for lying. That meant he should have gone through the full security process.”
Responding, Sir Keir Starmer said: “She asked me about developed vetting security clearance after the appointment. That wasn’t me saying that, I read out the evidence of the former permanent secretary about that, and the former cabinet secretary in relation to that.
“And I think the quotes that I’ve given to the House are clear enough in relation to that.”
Davey: The PM knew appointing Mandelson was an ‘enormous risk’ that has ‘blown up in his face’
16:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has been told his “enormous risk” in appointing Peter Mandelson has “blown up in his face”, as he faces calls to resign in the Commons.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey pointed out that the prime minister appointed Mandelson despite having been warned about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
“We all know the truth, Mr Speaker, the PM knew that appointing Mandelson was an enormous risk,” he said.
“He decided it was a risk worth taking. A catastrophic error in judgement. And now it has blown up in his face the only decent thing to do is to take responsibility.”
Review to be held into how vetting decisions are made, PM says
16:11 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer said he was “frankly staggered” about not being told about UK Security Vetting (UKSV) recommending that Lord Peter Mandelson not be given developed vetting clearance.
The prime minister said he has appointed Sir Adrian Fulford to lead a review into how security vetting decisions are made.
Sir Keir said: “I do not accept that I could not have been told about UKSV’s denial of security vetting before Peter Mandelson took up his post in January 2025. I do not accept that the then-cabinet secretary could not have been told in September 2025 when he carried out his review into the process.
“I do not accept that the Foreign Secretary could not have been told when making statements to the select committee, again in 2025.
“But on top of that the fact that I was not told even when I ordered a review of the UKSV process, is frankly staggering, and I can tell the House that I’ve now updated the terms of reference for the review into security vetting to make sure it covers the means by which all decisions are made in relation to national security vetting.”
Kemi Badenoch lists staff Keir Starmer has sacked
16:07 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Conservative leader accused the PM of a history of throwing “his staff and his officials under the bus”.
She told MPs: “This is a man who once said ‘I will carry the can for the mistakes of any organisation I lead’.”
She added: “Instead, he has sacked his cabinet secretary, he has sacked his director of communications, he has sacked his chief of staff and he has now sacked the permanent secretary of the Foreign Office.”
She also accused him of not asking enough questions about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to Washington “because he didn't want to know”.
'It beggars belief' I wasn't told of vetting failure, says PM
16:04 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said it “beggars belief” that he wasn’t told that UK security vetting services advised against Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
The prime minister acknowledged that many MPs will find his claims about the latest Mandelson revelations “to be incredible”.
The remark drew loud jeering from opposition in the house, before he continued: “To that I can only say they are right. It beggars belief that throughout the whole timeline of events officials in the Foreign Office saw fit to withhold this information from the most senior ministers in our system in government.
“That is not how the vast majority of people in this country expect politics, government or accountability to work and I do not think its how most public servants think it should work either.”
Kemi Badenoch shares questions as Tory takes on Starmer in Commons
16:03 , Nicole Wootton-CaneKemi Badenoch has shared the questions she is asking the prime minister as she takes to the Commons floor.
Today I am asking Keir Starmer the following 6 key questions👇 pic.twitter.com/SIw4WKWmBZ
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 20, 2026
Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of breaching the ministerial code
16:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Tory leader did not pull her punches as she took on the PM, accusing him of breaching the ministerial code, which can be a sackable offence.
She told the Commons: “Earlier today, Downing St admitted that the prime minister inadvertently misled the house. The PM has chosen not to repeat that. I will remind him that under the ministerial code, he has a duty to correct the record at the earliest opportunity.
“The PM says he only found out on Tuesday that Peter Mandelson failed the security (vetting). The earliest opportunity to correct the record was Prime Minister's questions on Wednesday, almost a week ago. This is a breach of the ministerial code.”
Cabinet Secretary ‘clearly’ could have been told about Mandelson’s vetting failures, Starmer says
15:54 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has doubled down on blaming Foreign Office officials for failing to tell No 10 Peter Mandelson had failed vetting carried out by security services.
The prime minister told the Commons that following Mandelson’s departure from Washington, he told his then-Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald to carry out a review into the appointment process.
“When he was asked about this last week the then Cabinet Secretary was clear that when he carried out his review the Foreign Office did not tell him about the UKSV recommendation that developed vetting clearance should be denied to Peter Mandelson,” Sir Keir said. “I find that astonishing.”
He added: “Clearly he could have been told and should have been told.”
Starmer insists he would not have appointed Mandelson with prior knowledge of failed vetting
15:52 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer said he would not have gone ahead with the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador had he known there was a recommendation that clearance should be denied.
In a statement to the Commons, he said: “Let me be very clear the recommendation in the Peter Mandelson case could and should have been shared with me before he took up his post.
“Let me make a second point, if I had known before he took up his post, the UKSV (UK Security Vetting) recommendation was that developed vetting clearance should be denied. I would not have gone ahead with the appointment.”
Analysis: Starmer hides behind process as he tries to save his skin
15:48 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Keir Starmer is in his comfort space talking about process and blaming it for the failures in the appointment of Peter Mandelson and the lack of knowledge about the vetting process.
The prime minister is pinning the blame on Foreign Office officials in a way that no previous holder of his office has done before.
He has failed to explain why he asked no questions about the vetting process when The Independent raised it on 11 September.
The fact is that as he has previously admitted he should never have appointed Mandelson in the first place.
The prime minister’s statement has significant gaps and is relying on the suggestion that multiple people were not told.
Starmer: 'I simply do not accept’ Foreign Office officials could not have told me of recommendation to deny vetting clearance to Mandelson
15:47 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Keir Starmer has told MPs that he understands the importance of confidentiality as part of the vetting process.
But he added “given the seriousness of these issues and the significance of the appointment, I simply do not accept that Foreign Office officials could not have informed me of (the) recommendations, whilst also maintaining the necessary confidentiality that vetting requires.”
'Staggering' I was not told Mandelson vetting recommendation, Starmer says
15:46 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer said it is “staggering” he was not told that UK Security Vetting had recommended Lord Peter Mandelson should not be given security clearance.
In a statement to the Commons, the prime minister said he, and parliament, should have had this information “a long, long time ago”.
He told MPs: “Last Tuesday evening April 14, I found out for the first time that on January 29 2025, before Peter Mandelson took up his position as ambassador, that Foreign Office officials granted him developed vetting clearance, against the specific recommendation of the United Kingdom Security Vetting, that developed vetting clearance should be denied.
“Not only that, the Foreign Office officials who made that decision did not pass this information to me, to the Foreign Secretary, to her predecessor, the Deputy Prime Minister, to any other minister, or even to the former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald.
“I found this staggering, and therefore last Tuesday I immediately instructed officials in Downing Street and the Cabinet Office to urgently establish the facts, on my authority.
“I wanted to know who made the decision, on what basis, who knew, and Mr Speaker, I wanted that information for the precise and explicit purpose of updating this House, because this is information I should have had a long time ago, and it is information that the House should have had a long time ago.
“It is information that I and the House had the right to know.”
Starmer: I should not have appointed Mandelson
15:39 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has once again apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein over his decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Beginning his statement to the Commons, Sir Keir said: "While this statement will focus on the process surrounding Peter Mandelson’s vetting and appointment at the heart of this there his also a judgement I made that is wrong. I should not have appointed Peter Mandelson.
"I take responsibility for that decision and I apologise again to the victims of the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein who were clearly failed by my decision.”
Speaker warns MPs they are not allowed to accuse the PM of lying
15:38 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has kicked off Sir Keir Starmer’s statement on Peter Mandelson by warning MPs that they are not allowed to accuse the prime minister of lying.
He reminded them of a long-standing convention in the House of Commons, as set out in its rule book Erskine May.
“This rule is in place to ensure the members focus on the substantive matters of the discussion,” he warned them.
Sir Keir Starmer takes to Commons floor
15:36 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer is now addressing MPs in the Commons.
We will be bringing you all the latest in this blog.
Watch live as PM answers questions in the Commons
15:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer will answer questions from MPs over Lord Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting at 3:30pm.
You can watch live below:
PM leaves Downing Street to face Commons grilling
15:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe prime minister has left Downing Street to head to the House of Commons, where he will face questions from MPs on Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment.
He is expected to appear in the Commons at around 3:30pm.
Labour MPs call for Starmer to resign ahead of Parliamentary address
15:15 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolitical reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
The prime minister is once again fighting for his political life after fresh revelations about Lord Peter Mandelson's vetting failures came to light last week.
The scandal has fuelled calls for Sir Keir to step down, both from opposition parties but also from his critics within the Labour movement.
“In my opinion PM should make decisions not advisors,” Labour backbencher Kim Johnson told The Independent, adding he should “fess up or move out”.
Last week, veteran Labour MP Jon Trickett said “it simply doesn’t sound credible for Keir Starmer to claim that he was unaware that Mandelson had been denied security clearance.”
He added: “Either way, the excuses coming from Downing Street won’t cut it on the doorstep in the run-up to the local elections.”
Analysis: This is what should have happened in Mandelson’s security vetting
15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer will face MPs this afternoon to answer questions over why Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador, despite failing his security vetting.
The Labour peer would have been subject to developed vetting, a process designed to insulate the UK against employing people in sensitive jobs who are vulnerable to blackmail or bribery, writes The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
You can read more about the process in Sam’s analysis below:
This is what should have happened in Mandelson’s security vetting
Ex-parliamentary employee arrested, Commons speaker says
14:51 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA former parliamentary employee was arrested last week under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said in a brief statement to parliament.
Sir Lindsay said: “I want to make a brief statement about a security matter.
“I've been informed by the police that a former parliamentary employee was arrested last week under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. The police investigation is ongoing.
"As you know, we do not discuss the details of such issues on the floor of the House. This is an ongoing criminal investigation.
"I do not intend to take any points of order on this matter. I will update the members when I'm in a position to share more information."
Mandelson pictured walking in London as row over his appointment erupts
14:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLord Peter Mandelson has been pictured walking his dog in London this afternoon as pressure around the prime minister over the peer’s appointment reaches boiling point.
As a reminder, Lord Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from the House of Lords in early February 2026.
David Maddox: I knew that Mandelson failed security vetting. So why didn’t Keir Starmer?
14:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolitical editor David Maddox looks back on The Independent’s exclusive in September last year and how he informed Downing Street of Mandelson’s vetting failure seven months before the prime minister claims he knew.
I knew that Mandelson failed security vetting. So why didn’t Keir Starmer?
