Kamal Ghorui
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted Monday that he made the wrong judgment in appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to Washington, saying he would not have gone ahead if he had known Mandelson had failed security checks.Speaking in the House of Commons, Starmer said the facts about Mandelson’s vetting “could and should have been shared with me before he took up his post.” He added, “I would not have gone ahead with the appointment” had he known.
Starmer has rejected calls to resign amid the controversy. Mandelson was dismissed in September, nine months after taking the role, following new details about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer had been warned by his staff that the connection posed a “reputational risk.” Documents released by the US Department of Justice in January included emails suggesting Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein in 2009 after the global financial crisis.The prime minister said he was “furious” that he had not been told an intensive vetting process had recommended Mandelson should not receive security clearance. He placed the blame on Foreign Office officials, saying they failed to inform him, even though the department ultimately cleared Mandelson.His explanation was met with disbelief from lawmakers. “I know many members across the House will find these facts to be incredible,” Starmer said. “To that, I can only say they are right. It beggars belief.”Conservative lawmaker Kemi Badenoch strongly criticised Starmer, saying, “It doesn’t appear that he asked any questions at all. Why? Because he didn’t want to know.” She later added that he “has thrown his staff and his officials under the bus.”Senior ministers have backed him, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy saying that if Starmer had known about the failed vetting, “he would never, ever have appointed him ambassador.”Following the revelations, Starmer removed the top Foreign Office civil servant, Olly Robbins. However, allies of Robbins say he would not have been able to share sensitive vetting details with the prime minister. Robbins is expected to give his account to the Foreign Affairs Committee.The issue has unsettled members of the Labour Party, who are already concerned about poor poll ratings. Pressure could increase if the party performs badly in the upcoming local and regional elections on May 7.Critics say the controversy highlights wider challenges in Starmer’s leadership since Labour’s election victory in July 2024, as he has struggled with economic growth, public services and the cost of living, along with several policy reversals.British police launched a criminal investigation and arrested Mandelson in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged. He does not face allegations of sexual misconduct.
