David Jones 🇬🇧🐺

@piersmorgan Piers, given Mandelsons closeness to Epstein he should never have been considered for the post in first place. All this is on Starmer

Why did Mandelson fail his security vetting? Why did it not stop him becoming Britain’s most powerful diplomat? Why did we only hear about this yesterday? Does our ‘clueless’ (so he claims) Prime Minister know anything about anything? Or is he just a bare-faced liar?

@Peston The fact Madelson had a too-close relationship with Epstein meant that he should never even been considered for the post in the first place.

This is how Mandelson flunked the vetting but still became US ambassador, and why there are lots of questions for the prime minister. What you need to know is that anyone appointed to a job where they will have access to government secrets, or has the kind of influence potentially valuable to the UK’s enemies, has to undergo what’s called developed vetting before getting the job. This involves being locked in a room with an anonymous official, often an erstwhile spook, and being asked impertinent and embarrassing questions. One former senior official tells me that in his vetting interview he had to reveal the porn websites he uses. Another was grilled on his religious beliefs and said he was asked whether he could be trusted to defend the UK given he spends a good deal of time in France. Both were approved to do their sensitive jobs. They also said that in every case they knew of where UK Security Vetting had advised that an individual should not be passed as fit and proper - where the recommendation was not to grant “Developed Vetting” status in the jargon - the relevant individual was “marched out of the building, never to return.” Not so Peter Mandelson. The government’s vetting experts at UK Security Vetting recommended he should not be granted security clearance for the hugely important and sensitive post of British ambassador in Washington. But they were over-ruled by the Foreign Office’s most senior official, Olly Robbins, the permanent under-secretary, and Mandelson took up the swanky post. Now I am told the foreign office is unusual, probably unique, in being able to ignore the advice of UK Security Vetting. The home office has no such discretion. But the foreign office exploits this power only rarely. Why did Robbins do so? Given that Mandelson resigned in disgrace last September, following revelations of his too-close relationship with the convicted late paedophile billionaire, Jeffrey Epstein, it was plainly a bad decision. Another question is why Robbins didn’t tell either the foreign secretary or the prime minister that Mandelson had been classified as a security risk. The prime minister learned this only days ago, says Downing Street. And the deputy prime minister, who was foreign secretary at the time, David Lammy, was informed only today! A third question is why Robbins didn’t tell Keir Starmer that Mandelson had flunked the vetting test shortly after Starmer held a press conference in Hastings in February this year - because at that press conference Starmer told a lie, albeit unintentionally, that Mandelson had passed the vetting process. Starmer compromised himself, and would have wanted to set the record straight forthwith. Mendacity, albeit accidental, is a terrible look for the head of the government. The leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, thinks he is so compromised that he needs to resign. There is no sign tonight that Starmer is set to take her advice. But if Robbins has embarrassed the prime minister by not telling him in a timely way that Mandelson flunked the vetting, it is difficult to see how he could keep his job. Obviously it would be a wholly different story if Robbins could prove that he did inform Lammy or Starmer. He has been summoned to give evidence to MPs on the foreign affairs select committee next week, so he can reveal all. Whatever happens, Starmer is damaged. Because he knew from an earlier scrutiny assessment, run by the Cabinet Office, that there were concerns about Mandelson’s proximity to Epstein and about his potential conflicts of interest stemming from corporate relationships of the consultancy he created, Global Counsel. Starmer repeatedly says he made a mistake in appointing Mandelson and that it was his fault. It won’t reinforce confidence in him that he didn’t apparently ask whether any concerns about Mandelson had been brought up by UK Security Vetting.

@clark_aviation They got the Rose & Crown.

A behind the scenes shot from my favourite war movie. I wouldn't mind guessing how many of you remember this scene, filmed at Duxford in 1968.😉

@Janderson1394 @oldgoldpack Agree it would be brilliant. Let’s hope it happens.

@oldgoldpack Would be brilliant if the majority of fans didn’t buy the clubs home kit next season and went for this

A few steps closer to making this shirt a reality. Designed by the fans, for the fans. With the aim of donating proceeds to a local charity 👍 #wwfc

@AndrewPopham @RupertMyers Absolutely right Andrew

@RupertMyers He is of course entirely wrong. This country voted in 1975 to go into the Common market, not a European Union. He should have called a referendum when Prime Minister in 1993, before undemocratically signing this country up to the Maastricht treaty. The EU is in deep trouble.

Sir John Major is of course entirely right

@Mofoman360 Absolutely she should.

Do you think Paula Vennells should go to prison for her part in the post office scandal Yes or No?

@greg_ashman Yes - footbath.

When I was a child and we went to the swimming pool I used to have to walk through a shallow pool of disinfectant or something and I’ve mentioned this to my family and they don’t believe me. Was this a thing?

@_mike_pete @cold957 @UKLabour Absolute rubbish. Your elector number is not recorded on your voting slip.

@cold957 @UKLabour When you give your address and show ID, they shout out a 3 or 4 digit number to the other person. This is written down with the reference no. on your voting slip. Therefore, if necessary, they can look at your vote, check the number and see who you voted for. Secret ballot???

@NathanJudah @LiamKeen_Star Dreadful

Never thought I'd be typing away kit launch 'featuring a pattern inspired by Mediterranean architecture' ... but here we are! What do you think? I'm just so happy to see Chiquinho smiling again #wwfc expressandstar.com/sport/football…

@Reuters Not a diplomatic response but simply tell China to get stuffed.

China warns of 'forceful measures' if Canada interferes in Taiwan reut.rs/3PKRt0L

@italiaricci Congratulations, however It would be lovely to see you perform over here in a British drama. Ask your agent to start looking .

Cat’s out of the lab..

@FilmInquiry @LauraLinneyNews Love Actually & The Mothman Prophecies

🥳Happy Birthday #LauraLinney! What are your favorite roles she has done? We want to know!

@susannareid100 Well done on grilling AlokSharma on the 21m paid to a go between. Can you please pursue and find the person who signed this off in order to be made accountable?

I tried to get a commitment the government would reconsider. But they are sticking to their line.

@The_50km_Kid What is the job Jamie ?

I’m doing a job which came through a broker. None of the customers’ expectations match the job ticket sent through. I’m annoyed because I’ve upset the customer through no fault of my own. This would have been so much more professional had they booked direct with the operator.

@The_50km_Kid I guess it was a No Jamie ?

The Isle of Wight curse strikes again! Accommodation booked: ✅ Ferry Crossing booked: ✅ Ikarus repairs scheduled in time: ✅ Book time off work: 😵😵😵😵😵

@The_50km_Kid A certain group from North London?

@djoneswolf New Barn for a fortnight!

Ah, so THIS is what a heart attack feels like...It’s not a cleaner we need, it’s bomb disposal!! 😵

@The_50km_Kid You have a pressure washer !!!

On my knees scrubbing carpets...

@The_50km_Kid Bloody Hell Jamie I’ll get you a spot on theX factor

Spice bus is parked up in Russell Square. I think this will be the highlight of the day.

@The_50km_Kid @NDTCoachHire Quiet week than Jamie

A typical winter week @NDTCoachHire