Keir Starmer says it is 'unforgivable' he was not told Mandelson failed security vetting for US ambassador role; Calls for him to resign over scandal

"The prime minister said he was 'absolutely furious' and it was 'staggering' that he had not been informed the Foreign Office had overruled the recommendation from specialists in the UK Security Vetting team."

"'That I wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting when he was appointed is staggering. That I wasn't told that he had failed security vetting when I was telling Parliament that due process had been followed is unforgivable.'"

"'It's of a scale of a problem that we've not experienced in government before,' acknowledged Chief Secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones."

The prime minister was furious upon learning that the Foreign Office had disregarded security vetting recommendations. Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office's top civil servant, was dismissed due to the scandal. Mr. Starmer expressed outrage at not being informed about Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting during his appointment. He plans to address MPs to ensure transparency. Despite the pressure for resignation, Chief Secretary Darren Jones stated that Mr. Starmer had not lied and would not resign, acknowledging the unprecedented scale of the issue.

Read at Irish Independent