Badenoch accuses PM of misleading MPs over Mandelson vetting

Badenoch accuses PM of misleading MPs over Mandelson vetting14 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBecky MortonPolitical reporterPA MediaLord Mandelson was announced as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the prime minister of misleading the House of Commons, after a report suggested Lord Mandelson failed his security vetting for the role of US ambassador.The Guardian newspaper reported that the Foreign Office overruled the vetting decision to ensure the peer could take up the post.Lord Mandelson was sacked as ambassador last year over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The government and Lord Mandelson have been approached for comment.During Prime Minister's Questions on 10 September 2025, Sir Keir Starmer said three times that "full due process" was followed for the appointment.In response to the Guardian report, Badenoch pointed to his comments last September, adding: "We now know the prime minister misled the House."The prime minister must take responsibility."The Ministerial Code states that ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament are expected to resign.The Guardian said it was not known whether the PM was made aware Lord Mandelson had not been given security clearance by the vetting agency which carried out the checks, or who in the Foreign Office had made the decision to overrule this.Who is Peter Mandelson?Lord Mandelson released on bail after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public officeAccording to the Guardian, Lord Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process.The peer had already been announced as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024.The developed vetting process is carried out by United Kingdom Security Vetting, a specialist agency within the Cabinet Office, and is designed to make sure individuals are unlikely to abuse their access to secret material, or b...