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Revealed: Mandelson failed vetting but Foreign Office overruled decision
UK NewsPolitics•April 16, 2026 at 6:16 PMNational

Revealed: Mandelson failed vetting but Foreign Office overruled decision

By Paul Lewis, Henry Dyer and Pippa Crerar•The Guardian - UK News

Guardian investigation uncovers decision by UK security officials to deny clearance before Mandelson took up role as US ambassadorTop civil servant Olly Robbins forced out over vetting row Officials debate withholding Mandelson vetting documents from parliamentFive key questions: Who overruled the decision to deny Mandelson security clearance?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. Continue reading...

Guardian investigation uncovers decision by UK security officials to deny clearance before Mandelson took up role as US ambassador

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.

Continue reading...

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