Starmer faces fresh calls to quit over Mandelson appointment row

LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under renewed pressure from political opponents on Friday after it emerged that his former ambassador to the United States had failed security vetting but was still permitted to assume the post.

The government confirmed on Thursday that Peter Mandelson had not passed security clearance before taking up the role. He was later dismissed after Starmer said Mandelson had lied about how close he was to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to the government, Starmer did not know that Foreign Office officials had set aside the vetting recommendation. A source also said Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s most senior official, would leave his position after losing the prime minister’s confidence.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said Starmer could not avoid responsibility by removing Robbins.

He told BBC Radio, “I don’t think the prime minister can get out of his responsibility by sacking Olly Robbins. I think the buck has to stop with Mr Starmer. I think the evidence suggests that he misled the Commons (parliament) and misled the public. That’s against all the rules, and that’s why we’ve called for him to go.”

Starmer has already apologised for the appointment, but has defended his own conduct. He accused Mandelson of creating a litany of deceit regarding his links to Epstein and said documents relating to the appointment process would be released.

Senior minister Darren Jones said Starmer was angry that he had not been informed Mandelson had failed the security process and said the prime minister would address parliament on Monday.

Speaking to LBC, Jones said Starmer was “furious” and maintained that the prime minister had not misled parliament. He said the procedure had been followed, but described the process itself as flawed.

Jones also rejected suggestions that the controversy threatened Starmer’s position, saying, “I don’t think it brings the Prime Minister’s future into question.”

Police investigation

Mandelson is also under police investigation over allegations that he leaked government documents to Epstein. He has not commented publicly on the allegation that he passed documents to the sex offender.

A lawyer representing Mandelson also did not provide comment on Thursday regarding the vetting process.

The latest disclosures have intensified scrutiny of how Mandelson was appointed and whether ministers were fully informed during the process, with opposition parties now pressing Starmer over his handling of the matter.