Starmer tells MPs Foreign Office has been stripped of power to overrule vetting

PM says in Commons statement he has ordered inquiry into any security concerns relating to Mandelson’s tenure in US

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The Foreign Office has been stripped of its powers to overrule vetting decisions after the Peter Mandelson scandal, Keir Starmer has told MPs, as he sought to set out his side of events in a politically crucial statement in parliament.

Saying to jeers that he accepted it appeared “incredible” he and other ministers were not told Mandelson was initially refused security vetting, Starmer also said he had ordered an investigation into any security concerns related to Mandelson’s tenure as ambassador to Washington.