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A senior minister in Keir Starmer’s government has admitted it was a mistake to publicly announce Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States before completing full security vetting.
The controversy comes as the prime minister prepares to address MPs and explain why he was unaware that the Foreign Office had overturned an earlier decision to deny Mandelson clearance. The situation has intensified political pressure on Starmer, with some senior figures warning that the coming days could be decisive for his leadership.
Speaking during the government’s media round, Scotland secretary Douglas Alexander expressed cautious support for Starmer, stating he expects him to lead Labour into the next general election, though he acknowledged uncertainty. Alexander also suggested that existing procedures for political appointments contributed to the issue and would likely be revised.
He admitted that the process had been “inadequate” and stressed the importance of completing thorough vetting before any public announcement in future. The government has already begun implementing changes to ensure that security checks are finalized prior to appointments.
The row has also drawn criticism from former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell, who argued that Starmer’s decision to dismiss Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top official, was unfair. O’Donnell warned that the move could damage trust between ministers and civil servants, calling it one of the most serious tensions in recent years.
Alexander defended the government’s position, saying that any concerns raised during the vetting process should have been clearly communicated to ministers. He emphasized that ministers depend on civil servants to provide complete and accurate information, especially when making statements in Parliament.
The situation worsened after Mandelson was removed from the role following renewed scrutiny over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Over the weekend, ministers attempted to stabilize Starmer’s position amid growing calls from opposition leaders for his resignation. However, concerns remain within the government that further revelations or a loss of confidence among Labour MPs could significantly threaten his leadership in the days ahead.
