
Is Mandelson vetting scandal the final straw for Starmer? – The Latest
From Today in Focus by The Guardian
April 17, 2026 · 11 min
About this episode
Keir Starmer expresses outrage over not being informed about Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting prior to his appointment as US ambassador.
Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering’ and ‘unforgivable’ that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before taking up the role of US ambassador. The comments follow a Guardian investigation that exclusively revealed Mandelson had initially been denied clearance after a background check by security officials, but that the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of investigations, Paul Lewis – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
People in this episode
Guest: Paul Lewis
Topics covered
- Mandelson
- Starmer
- security vetting
- politics
- investigation
Keywords
- Guardian investigation
- Foreign Office
- background check
Mentioned in this episode
Places: US
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