Key figure in Mandelson vetting row will not appear to give evidence

"The Foreign Affairs Committee had asked the Foreign Office if Ian Collard, a civil servant who ran the security team within the department, could attend next week. But the committee's chair Dame Emily Thornberry said the department made the 'decision to decline' the request and Collard will only be giving evidence in writing."

"The government says UKSV gave an explicit recommendation to the Foreign Office not to approve vetting for Lord Mandelson ahead of his confirmation as ambassador to the US."

"Sir Olly was sacked last week after it emerged that he had granted clearance against the recommendation and had not informed No 10."

"Sir Adrian Fulford, a retired judge, is conducting a review into the process and it is understood he will look at whether the briefing given by Collard correctly summed up the vetting team's view."

Ian Collard, a civil servant, will not appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee but will provide evidence in writing. He briefed Sir Olly Robbins about UKSV's recommendation against granting clearance to Lord Mandelson. Sir Olly was sacked after granting clearance without informing No 10. The government states UKSV explicitly recommended against approval, while Sir Olly claims he only received a verbal briefing. An investigation is underway to determine if Sir Olly had the correct information before his decision. Dame Emily Thornberry has posed questions for Collard to address in writing.

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