British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing renewed pressure to resign following revelations that former UK ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, failed security vetting before assuming the role.
The UK government confirmed that Mandelson, who was later dismissed, had not passed the required vetting process but was still allowed to take up the appointment. His dismissal came after Starmer said he had lied about the nature of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Officials stated that Starmer was unaware that Foreign Office authorities had overridden the vetting recommendation. A source also disclosed that the Foreign Office’s most senior official, Olly Robbins, is set to leave his position after reportedly losing the prime minister’s confidence.
Opposition figures have seized on the development, intensifying calls for accountability. Ed Davey criticised the prime minister’s response, insisting responsibility ultimately lies with him.
“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,” Davey said.
“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 since apologised for the appointment but defended his actions, accusing Mandelson of a “litany of deceit” regarding his links to Epstein. He also pledged to release documents detailing how the appointment was made.
Senior minister Darren Jones told LBC that the prime minister was “furious” about not being informed of the failed vetting and is expected to update parliament on the matter on Monday. He maintained that Starmer had not misled lawmakers and that due process, though flawed, had been followed.
“I don’t think it brings the Prime Minister’s future into question,” Jones said.
Meanwhile, Mandelson is reportedly under police investigation over allegations that he leaked government documents to Epstein. He has yet to comment publicly on the claims, while his legal representative declined to address the vetting issue.
The controversy has further intensified scrutiny on the prime minister’s leadership and the integrity of the government’s appointment processes.
