Starmer faces Mandelson vetting scandal

The UK government has been plunged into a fresh crisis after it emerged that Lord Peter Mandelson was granted security clearance for his role as ambassador to Washington despite an initial denial by vetting officials.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the failure to inform him of this discrepancy as 'unforgivable' and 'staggering,' leading to the effective sacking of top diplomat Sir Olly Robbins.

Opposition leaders from the Conservative and SNP parties have called for Starmer's resignation, accusing him of either incompetence or dishonesty regarding what he knew and when.

A retired High Court judge has been commissioned to review the national security vetting system as the fallout continues to threaten the stability of the Labour government.