Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has charged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with misleading the House of Commons regarding Lord Mandelson’s security vetting for the US ambassador position.
A review indicates Lord Mandelson initially failed his security clearance, yet he assumed the role before his dismissal last year due to connections with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Political Backlash and Resignation Demands
Reform UK and the Green Party have demanded Starmer’s resignation. Liberal Democrats argue that any deliberate deception of Parliament or the public warrants his departure.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on 10 September 2025, Starmer repeatedly affirmed that full due process governed the appointment. Badenoch highlighted these statements, declaring: “We now know the prime minister misled the House. The prime minister must take responsibility.”
The Ministerial Code requires ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament to resign.
On 5 February in Hastings, Starmer told journalists: “Security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave [Lord Mandelson] clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.”
Reactions from Party Leaders
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated: “Keir Starmer said in February that the security services had given Mandelson ‘clearance for the role’. Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the prime minister should resign.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey remarked: “Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement. Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.”
Green Party MP Sian Berry added: “Keir Starmer has lied and lied again over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson and he must resign.” She continued: “He has tried to blame the vetting process, when in fact it is reported that a decision was taken to ignore a failed vetting.”
Details of the Vetting Process
Records show Lord Mandelson received an initial denial of clearance in late January 2025 following developed vetting. He had been named UK ambassador to the US in December 2024 and began the role on 10 February 2025.
Developed vetting, handled by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) under the Cabinet Office, assesses risks of abusing access to sensitive information, blackmail, or bribery. It examines credit history, criminal records, and involves interviews on health, relationships, family, and personal history.
The assessment flagged Lord Mandelson’s Epstein ties as a reputation risk, drawing from public reports. It remains unclear if Starmer knew of the failed vetting or who overruled it in the Foreign Office.
Additional documents are slated for release, though senior officials are weighing options to withhold those confirming the lack of vetting approval.
