"Emily Thornberry has requested that Ian Collard speak to the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, but confirmed on Saturday that he would submit written answers instead. Collard, who has given evidence to the select committee previously, is a former ambassador to Lebanon and Panama and was appointed the Foreign Office's chief property and security officer in March 2023."
"Robbins said Collard briefed him on the vetting findings that deemed the peer a borderline case and leaned towards recommending that clearance be denied. Thornberry has asked Collard to detail his recollection of this meeting and whether it lines up with Robbins's evidence in a letter to the Foreign Office with questions to be answered by 5pm on Monday."
"Thornberry also asked Collard whether he felt under pressure to deliver Mandelson's clearance, after Robbins said there was an atmosphere of pressure and constant chasing from Downing Street. She inquired if he had seen the cover form for Mandelson's vetting, which had ticked two red boxes indicating high concern and recommended clearance denied or withdrawn."
Ian Collard, a key figure in the controversy over Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to Washington, will not appear before the foreign affairs committee. He will submit written answers instead. The committee has heard from other officials, including Olly Robbins, who was ousted after the decision to fail Mandelson's vetting was overruled. Thornberry has requested Collard to clarify his recollection of a meeting regarding Mandelson's vetting and whether he felt pressured to deliver clearance, among other inquiries.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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