Is Mandelson vetting scandal the final straw for Starmer?
Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering’ and ‘unforgivable’ that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before taking up the role of US ambassador.
The comments follow a Guardian investigation that exclusively revealed Mandelson had initially been denied clearance after a background check by security officials, but that the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office.
Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of investigations, Paul Lewis – https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast">watch on YouTube
https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/apr/17/is-mandelson-vetting-scandal-the-final-straw-for-starmer-the-latest">Continue reading...Starmer faces Mandelson vetting crisis
- ANDREW NEIL: We are being led by a man who staggers from crisis to impotence. These are the questions MPs MUST ask the PM next week Daily Mail —
- Starmer's week from hell: Another devastating slapdown by Trump, a public spat with the Speaker in Commons... and now he faces a crisis that could see him forced out of No 10 Daily Mail —
- Starmer's two top aides knew about Mandelson scandal WEEKS ago as Prime Minister is urged to take responsibility and resign Daily Mail —
- Starmer faces 'judgement day' and 'Breakthrough in the Strait' BBC News —
- Starmer says it is 'staggering' he was not told about Mandelson vetting failure Reuters —