Forum Topic

Starmer Lied Over Mandelson’s Vetting

Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting clearance but the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure he could take up his post as ambassador to the US, an investigation by the Guardian can reveal.According to multiple sources, Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials.Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting clearance but the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure he could take up his post as ambassador to the US, an investigation by the Guardian can reveal.According to multiple sources, Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials.https://share.google/LTlru2ylgUwgwPfHKHow will Starmer wriggle out of this?  I bet Kemi can’t wait to challenges him in the next PMQ!

Sue Hammond ● 17h18 Comments

How many people of the 60+ million were asked the question?

Andy Pike ●

I should have put per month, sorry.

Martine Guy ●

Question for Michael Brigo:  What sort of amount would you expect a single person to be living on, if they have no rent or council tax to pay?  £500, £1,000, £1,500, £2,000?  

Martine Guy ● 32m

There is a difference between the problems facing the government, which is what I was talking about when criticising Angela Rayner’s suitability for the job of Prime Minister, and the concerns of the public. No doubt the public is concerned about a range of issues such as housing and  the NHS.  But the key to the solution of many of these problems is the economy. The government can’t build houses or reduce waiting times without investment. At the moment there is not enough money to satisfy all these demands. The most important reason in my view is the ever increasing welfare bill. This can only be financed by higher taxes. Unfortunately high taxes slow growth, which in turn reduces tax receipts, a vicious circle of economic decline. At the moment a dwindling number of taxpayers are being asked to contribute an ever larger share of their income to support an increasing number of working age people on benefits. This has to stop but is Angela Rayner the person to stop it? On the contrary, she is in favour of higher taxes and she has opposed reductions in welfare spending.

Steven Rose ● 41m

It's in order of priority, therefore the top issue for people in the country is the cost of living, not the welfare bill.

Michael Brigo ● 45m

Steven'Keir Starmer told Parliament that Mandelson had been properly vetted. Now it appears that Mandelson had failed the vetting but this decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Keir Starmer says he only found about this last week. Is this credible? Either he is lying, in which case he misled Parliament, or he is incompetent, in that he is unaware of what is going on in his own Foreign Office despite having ordered an investigation'.'First law on holes – when you’re in one, stop digging!– Denis Healey'To sum him up, he is an incompetent liar in all senses of the word.A wriggling lawyer.Will he last out the week let alone a full Parliamentary term !

John Hawkes ● 52m

Hardly the rest of the country when the highest percentage is 37.

Andy Pike ● 54m

"The most important problem facing the country is the burgeoning welfare bill" Well you have your opinion, it would appear the rest of the country does not agree with you

Michael Brigo ● 1h

You cannot be serious, Michael.  What is the question to which Angela Rayner is the answer? The most important problem facing the country is the burgeoning welfare bill which reduces the funds available for other departments, notably defence. Do you think Angela Rayner is going to cut welfare payments? Do you think she is going to refuse to agree to inflationary demands from public sector workers?

Steven Rose ● 9h

Iain Dale on LBC earlier this evening:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXNNeMHjKBJ/?igsh=cHFoYWE0b3cxenk5

Sue Hammond ● 10h

Olly’s taking one for the team!The Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant Sir Olly Robbins is to leave his role following revelations that the department overruled security vetting for Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US.It is understood that Sir Keir Starmer and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper have expressed a loss of confidence in Sir Olly, the permanent under-secretary.Security officials had initially denied clearance for the Labour peer, but Foreign Office officials took the unusual step of overriding this recommendation.The prime minister was reportedly unaware until earlier this week that Lord Mandelson had been granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting.He has since instructed officials to establish the full facts surrounding the decision, with the Foreign Office stating it is "working urgently" to comply with the inquiry.It comes after The Guardian reported that security officials initially denied clearance to Lord Mandelson, but it was after the prime minister had already named him as Britain’s top diplomat in the US, and the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/foreign-office-chief-olly-robins-220701906.html

Sue Hammond ● 10h

Great opportunity. Angela Rayner for Labour leader and PM, a real socialist! (Only Labour Party members will get a vote. So time to move back to socialism ...)

Michael Ixer ● 10h

Thank god Starmer didn't have a piece of cake or a can of cola.

Andy Pike ● 12h

None of the above.  The person in charge should go after all he demanded it from previous opponents who misled the House.  Everyone in Parliament knew what Mandelson was like and his dubious friends so as Starmer is a top lawyer why didn’t he double check his facts?

Robert Wheeler ● 13h

Keir Starmer told Parliament that Mandelson had been properly vetted. Now it appears that Mandelson had failed the vetting but this decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Keir Starmer says he only found about this last week. Is this credible? Either he is lying, in which case he misled Parliament, or he is incompetent, in that he is unaware of what is going on in his own Foreign Office despite having ordered an investigation.

Steven Rose ● 13h

According to LBC he will be making a statement in the House at 3.30 on Monday.Obviously he will blame somebody else for his poor decisions over Mandelson.  Will it be Olly Robbins, Morgan McSweeney or the resident buffoon Lammy?

Sue Hammond ● 13h

If he misled parliament he should certainly resign, not sure currently there is any evidence he did though?

Michael Brigo ● 14h

In my opinion this latest revelation uncovered by the Guardian👏will be the final straw and he will have to resign if it is proven that he misled Parliament.

Sue Hammond ● 17h