Ben Leo

The Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed. Starmer then said full due process was followed. THAT is misleading Parliament. I'm only holding him to the same standards to which he’s held previous Prime Ministers - that if they mislead parliament, they should resign. In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a Prime Minister who the country doesn't trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.

BREAKING The government has now confirmed that Mandelson failed security vetting. It claims that the PM and ministers were unaware - although the statement conspicuously does not deny that officials in No 10 were aware It says that the vetting documents will be published Huge questions for Starmer tonight over why he gave categoric assertions that he had been cleared by security and that due process had been followed “The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO. The decision to grant Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO. “Neither the Prime Minister, nor any Government Minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week. “Once the Prime Minister was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the Developed Vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons. “The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full as soon as possible. Any documentation within the scope of the Humble Address that requires redaction on the basis of national security or international relations will be provided to the ISC. This will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting.”