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Mandelson failed security vetting. Starmer says he didn’t know

(934 Posts)
Primrose53 Thu 16-Apr-26 20:12:36

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r15151xgo

Well, well, well.

LemonJam Mon 20-Apr-26 18:37:53

It seemed to me what Starmer today said concurred with the content of the FAC November record of proceedings. Thus I cannot, so far, find and evidence he knowingly mislead Parliament.

DoodleDog- I agree with you. Badenoch and other current detractors reported. o qualms whatsoever about Peter Mandelson's appointment at the time. Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing.

As an aside was good to see the speaker direct Lee Anderson to leave the House for his comments.

Oreo Mon 20-Apr-26 18:40:05

All this hindsight talk is frankly ridiculous, when anyone even remotely interested in politics knows all about Peter Mandelson.
Starmer still hasn’t said why he was appointed.

eazybee Mon 20-Apr-26 18:50:56

And Starmer is a prime target given that he’s always worked towards repairing our broken relationship with Europe. So who is going to gain by having Starmer removed from office?

Starmer is working, of his own volition, to repair what he considers to be a broken relationship with Europe. A democratic referendum decided that Britain wished to leave the EU, and more importantly , resented the imposition of the ECHR above the Supreme Court. But since Starmer's arrival decisions are being delayed , for example, the clear directive about single sex lavatories for trans people; the delay on grooming gangs inquiry, the lack of a defence strategy and budget, etc etc, the failure to do anything about illegal migrants other than pay money hand over fist to Macron, who then lectures him about how woefully Britain is doing.

Worst of all, the Legacy Bill is being repealed, enthusiastically led by Starmer and Hermer, the suggesting being that it is done to appease the Irish government as a means of entry to Europe. This will enable human rights lawyers to prosecute veterans as the present system is 'incompatible with the European Convention of Human Rights.' Senior members of the military are appalled, saying that it will leave soldiers open to harassment by 'money-grabbing lawyers in a legal cycle that can last for years. Witness the fraudulent Phil Shiner who was prosecuted for illegal practices but somehow evaded his prison sentence; and never forget who worked for him, pro bono, Starmer and Hermer who are both 'fanatical human rights lawyers.'
They need vetting as much as Mandelson.

LemonJam Mon 20-Apr-26 18:51:45

The post ask did Starmer know about the failed security vetting. So far, no conclusive evidence her did.

Badenoch gets 6 questions a week at PMQs- If she had any concerns about PM's appointment, at the time his appointment was announced, she had 6 questions, very week to challenge Starmer, with an audience, in the HoC. She didn't.

LizzieDrip Mon 20-Apr-26 18:56:04

At the time of PM’s appointment, Nigel Farage said he thought PM was a ‘very intelligent man’ and his appointment as US ambassador was ‘a good idea’. He offered to work with PM on US trade deals.

Sarnia Mon 20-Apr-26 18:56:50

MT62

Doodledog

Oh, and I agree with winterwhite that it seems unlikely that Starmer would lie to parliament - it's not his style.

Really? He’s lied a few times! One example He said we could rip up our council tax bills as it would remain the same- funny ours has gone up.

And he promised Waspi women their money. Easy to say in Opposition, more difficult in Government, it seems. And before anyone thinks I have an axe to grind, I am too old to qualify as a Waspi women.

petra Mon 20-Apr-26 18:58:30

knspol

Listening to the Laura K show this morning I was surprised that nobody asked a question about the 2 people in the cabinet office who reportedly knew about failing the security check a month ago but didn't tell Starmer??? (Antonia Romeo head of civil service and Catherine Little cabinet office permanent secretary ) Totally unbelievable that they had this info but didn't pass it on to Starmer.

Knowing what we now know it’s no surprise at all.
They and other civil servants are Gatekeepers of our democracy. What they decide irrespective of which party is in power goes. As has now been shown.

LemonJam Mon 20-Apr-26 19:02:22

Exactly LizzieDrip 18.56.

I recall also reading various newspaper articles at the time PM's appointment was annouced- putting a positive spin on the choice of PMs appointment, ie that PM had the right personality, skill set, etc to deal with a man like Trump and PM's career history- in the public domain for all parties to know- was not seen as an obstacle for dealing with a man like Trump.

Allira Mon 20-Apr-26 19:03:28

A point of accuracy - GN is a chat board, N&P is a forum within that board, this is a thread in the N&P forum, and I am writing a post on that thread 😀.

Gransnet is the busiest social networking site for the over 50s. Launched in May 2011, the site has been described by the Telegraph as "a new dawn in grey power".

At its heart is a buzzing forum where users debate the hot topics of the day, support each other through tough times and share a laugh.

Forum - a meeting place.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 20-Apr-26 19:04:45

petra I think you are correct 👍🏻

eazybee Mon 20-Apr-26 19:06:10

But Starmer would not answer the question asked repeatedly this afternoon:why did he not ask for the result of the vetting?

Not the reasons but simply the result.
He knew Mandelson could not be appointed if he had failed.
Oliver Robbins is sacked.
Starmer stays. Apparently.

Allira Mon 20-Apr-26 19:09:40

LemonJam

It seemed to me what Starmer today said concurred with the content of the FAC November record of proceedings. Thus I cannot, so far, find and evidence he knowingly mislead Parliament.

DoodleDog- I agree with you. Badenoch and other current detractors reported. o qualms whatsoever about Peter Mandelson's appointment at the time. Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing.

As an aside was good to see the speaker direct Lee Anderson to leave the House for his comments.

Also Zahra Sultana for callling the PM a bare-faced liar and said he was gaslighting the nation 😲
At first she refused to leave saying she had a duty to tell the truth.

Sir Lindsay then held a vote, brought by Government whip Gen Kitchen which said: “I beg to move that Zarah Sultana be suspended from the services of the House.”

MPs voted in favour.

“Leave, I’m sorry you’ve done this, I really am,” Sir Lindsay said.

Casdon Mon 20-Apr-26 19:11:21

petra

knspol

Listening to the Laura K show this morning I was surprised that nobody asked a question about the 2 people in the cabinet office who reportedly knew about failing the security check a month ago but didn't tell Starmer??? (Antonia Romeo head of civil service and Catherine Little cabinet office permanent secretary ) Totally unbelievable that they had this info but didn't pass it on to Starmer.

Knowing what we now know it’s no surprise at all.
They and other civil servants are Gatekeepers of our democracy. What they decide irrespective of which party is in power goes. As has now been shown.

That’s what I had guessed at the beginning of the thread. It’s more worrying than a PM lying in many ways. What else do they not tell ministers about I wonder. Where is Sir Humphrey when you need him?

petra Mon 20-Apr-26 19:15:47

eazybee

But Starmer would not answer the question asked repeatedly this afternoon:why did he not ask for the result of the vetting?

Not the reasons but simply the result.
He knew Mandelson could not be appointed if he had failed.
Oliver Robbins is sacked.
Starmer stays. Apparently.

Because he couldn’t. I’m not suggesting that he personally couldn’t answer but that all the information the FO has on Mandelson can’t be broadcast to the general public.

Allira Mon 20-Apr-26 19:16:53

It is worrying that a forensic barrister was not that curious, though.
Surely he would have been more thorough as Director of Public Prosecutions too?

Graphite Mon 20-Apr-26 19:19:53

But Starmer would not answer the question asked repeatedly this afternoon:why did he not ask for the result of the vetting?

As he explained very clearly, Mandelson was cleared by the FCDO.

If you are told that someone had passed an exam you don't assume that person has failed.

Maremia Mon 20-Apr-26 19:20:33

As has been explained, some of this info is confidential. ie. may not be shared.

Maremia Mon 20-Apr-26 19:21:55

Why was Mandelson appointed?
Perhaps because Trump was difficult to deal with?

MT62 Mon 20-Apr-26 19:31:39

Well we don’t know if he would as he’s not in power (yet)!

MT62 Mon 20-Apr-26 19:33:36

MT62

Well we don’t know if he would as he’s not in power (yet)!

Jane43

Casdon Mon 20-Apr-26 19:35:24

Allira

LemonJam

It seemed to me what Starmer today said concurred with the content of the FAC November record of proceedings. Thus I cannot, so far, find and evidence he knowingly mislead Parliament.

DoodleDog- I agree with you. Badenoch and other current detractors reported. o qualms whatsoever about Peter Mandelson's appointment at the time. Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing.

As an aside was good to see the speaker direct Lee Anderson to leave the House for his comments.

Also Zahra Sultana for callling the PM a bare-faced liar and said he was gaslighting the nation 😲
At first she refused to leave saying she had a duty to tell the truth.

Sir Lindsay then held a vote, brought by Government whip Gen Kitchen which said: “I beg to move that Zarah Sultana be suspended from the services of the House.”

MPs voted in favour.

^“Leave, I’m sorry you’ve done this, I really am,” Sir Lindsay said.^

Sultana and Anderson are a match made in heaven. They should join up and call their new party Parliamentary Pea Brains.

Primrose53 Mon 20-Apr-26 19:49:39

Interesting to see the old Labourites, Corbyn and Abbott having a go at KS. MPs from all parties were queuing up to question him and very few were supporting him.

I have flicked through BBC, ITV, GB News and Sky News and there doesn’t seem to be much positive reporting about today’s events. Not one of them has said how KS convinced the House that he is whiter than white and did nothing wrong. Like I said, not much support for him.

petra Mon 20-Apr-26 19:51:17

Maremia

Why was Mandelson appointed?
Perhaps because Trump was difficult to deal with?

No. Birds of a feather flock together.
A true innocent couldn’t have the first idea on how to handle Trump.
One who is practised in the dark arts knows exactly how to deal with him.

Wyllow3 Mon 20-Apr-26 19:54:31

LizzieDrip

At the time of PM’s appointment, Nigel Farage said he thought PM was a ‘very intelligent man’ and his appointment as US ambassador was ‘a good idea’. He offered to work with PM on US trade deals.

Well, exactly. People thought it was a cunning plan at the time.

The degree of fuss is down to elections just round the corner.

I believe Starmer didn't know at that point after plenty of doubts and reading what I can

and the delight in trying to bring him down has little to do with accepting political realities of his initial appointment and all about the right wing press and other parties of wanting to attack at election time

As per ususal.

The crude 'celebration" in the OP says it all, frankly.

It's not justified.

Other parties would have done with an equivalent figure, as in "suitable for Trump".

Graphite Mon 20-Apr-26 19:58:28

The Daily Mail.