"Collard had been having a live dialogue about Mandelson with the separate UK Security Vetting (UKSV) team, based in the Cabinet Office. Collard had then asked to speak to Robbins for what turned out to be a critical meeting: it concluded with Mandelson being granted vetting clearance."
"Robbins said to MPs he was told by Collard that officials in UKSV, who had interviewed Mandelson twice, had concluded he was a borderline case and were leaning towards recommending that clearance be denied."
"As revealed by the Guardian, the UKSV had actually been far more definitive than that. It had concluded by ticking two red boxes: high concern and clearance denied."
"Collard has been summoned by the foreign affairs committee to explain the apparent discrepancy. He will do so with an extensive background in the diplomatic service."
Ian Collard is a key figure in the controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson's security clearance as Britain's ambassador in Washington. Collard, head of the estates, security and network directorate, briefed Olly Robbins before Mandelson's clearance was granted. Robbins reported that UK Security Vetting officials considered Mandelson a borderline case, which contradicts the definitive assessment that recommended denial. Collard's upcoming testimony to the foreign affairs committee will address these discrepancies, highlighting his extensive background in the diplomatic service.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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