Starmer Blindsided: PM Not Told of Mandelson's Failed Vetting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said it is "staggering" and "unforgivable" that he was not informed the Foreign Office overrode a failed security check for former minister Peter Mandelson. The prime minister was reportedly only told on Tuesday evening. This came after documents were released under a 'humble address', a binding parliamentary motion for government papers. The revelation has forced out the Foreign Office's top civil servant, Olly Robbins. A government spokesperson defended the prime minister. "I completely refute the suggestion the PM misled the public or the House of Commons," they told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "He was reporting what he had been told." The spokesperson explained that ministers are not normally allowed to see vetting documents. Security professionals conduct "deeply invasive" background checks and make recommendations to senior civil servants. In this case, the Foreign Office granted Mandelson 'developed vetting' status against official advice, without informing the prime minister.