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

Sir Olly Robbins has been sacked by Starmer.
We shall never know the truth.

I most certainly can see Kemi Badenoch on the world stage.
Starmer has achieved very little after sweeping into power with a majority that would allow him to push through what he wished; the Press report and comment on his actions.

His insistence on appointing Mandelson for one of the most important Ambassadorial roles in the world, liaising with a volatile President at a time of increasing danger, show how dangerously incompetent Starmer is.
Plus the blaming, and sacking, of his staff for his own omissions reveal the true nature of the man.

If Starmer, a lawyer didn't know no wonder he's so unpopular. Mandelson couldn't be more obvious unless it was tattooed on his face.

Either KS lied about Mandelsohn passing the vetting process which makes no sense at all ... what was to be gained?
Or he was not informed of the facts in which case he could have done nothing as he knew nothing. PMs rely on information from their staff who should be relied on to do their jobs. They cannot pin colleagues down and ask them whether they are lying over every one of the myriad decisions to be taken. There had to be an element of trust which in this case was broken and I can understand him being furious.
This is a critical time for us and for the world. No time to lose a statesman who has represented our interests impeccably in this global mess; and no time for the opposition to be playing political games.

I most certainly can see Kemi Badenoch on the world stage.

This has to be a joke ....

Even if it was the system of choosing Mandelson that was at fault, and it was Olly Robbins who made the mistake, surely the appointment was such a monumental decision at this precarious time that KS would have at least given it ten minutes of his valuable time?

I wish I liked Badenoch, agree with what she said though.

What role did David Lammy have as foreign secretary, in Mandelson’s appointment?

MartavTaurus

Even if it was the system of choosing Mandelson that was at fault, and it was Olly Robbins who made the mistake, surely the appointment was such a monumental decision at this precarious time that KS would have at least given it ten minutes of his valuable time?

If the FO advised Starmer that vetting was fine what more could he do? Ask them to do it again just in case? If you can't trust senior civil servants in the FO then who else can you ask?
Getting them to vet Mandelsohn was the due process.

There’s just one big problem with this story. Mandelson had his appointment confirmed in December 2024. Olly Robbins joined the Foreign Office in January 2025.
Exactly what is happening here?

KS either knew about this and lied Or.. If he didn’t as he claims he's just not in control.
Perhaps Mandleson have something over KS? Absolute shambles! Lots of questions....
Either way, he’s not fit to be Prime Minister. KS is running out of road, he's lost all credence and trust.

And.. Boris had to go after a Birthday party.

I have given this much thought and after listening to Darren Jones this morning I have come to the following conclusions

Ignorance is no defence under U.K. law which I sincerely hope KS knows.

If (and it’s a big very big if ) Starmer and Lammy didn’t know that PM had failed the UKSV, why wasn’t they informed by the Foreign Office.

Thirdly who is running the country the civil servants and the Foreign Office or the Government? …

GG13
No doubt in my mind, the civil servants.

And.. Boris had to go after a Birthday party.

This is so trite! ... sorry, but really ...
Everyone knows that there was far more to it than that. That it was a culmination of his inept handling of a pandemic in which his making a mockery of the government's own rules cost thousands of lives as many people did not stick by the rules because of his example not to. People died ....

How exactly can you blame Olly Robbins when he wasn’t in the Civil Service at the time of Mandelson’s vetting and appointment?

Luckygirl3

*And.. Boris had to go after a Birthday party.*

This is so trite! ... sorry, but really ...
Everyone knows that there was far more to it than that. That it was a culmination of his inept handling of a pandemic in which his making a mockery of the government's own rules cost thousands of lives as many people did not stick by the rules because of his example not to. People died ....

Totally irrelevant to the current PM and situation he and his government are facing.

They were elected on a new broom, no sleaze mandate which appeared shaky from day one.

This latest scenario is on a different level.

I am not revelling at his downfall, I am disappointed and frustrated.

Sir Philip Barton
Also head of HM Diplomatic Service as well as pus at the FO who oversaw Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador presumably. Now do come forward and explain?

ronib

How exactly can you blame Olly Robbins when he wasn’t in the Civil Service at the time of Mandelson’s vetting and appointment?

He is being used as the proverbial scapegoat in order to save Lammy and Starmer 🤬

As a the head of the service you are ultimately accountable for the actions of your department ronib. It hinges on whether you knew and did not inform the PM, not on whether you were in post at the time the appointment was vetted.
On reflection, I hope this was the PM’s error, because if the Foreign Office withheld this information, I’m very concerned about what other decisions they are taking without consulting politicians.

What a load of idiots - Robbins is the wrong person to scapegoat. Unless he failed to cover up for his predecessors? Robbins wasn’t there. Bad joke?

Ladyleftfieldlover

The right wing press have had it in for Starmer from day one. It’s sad that people have such short memories of the 14 years of Tory misrule. It wasn’t just Johnson who was appallingly bad, don’t forget Truss, who still thinks she did no wrong. In these treacherous times for the world, Starmer is the only choice really to handle the shenanigans created by trump. Can you see Badenoch, or words fail me, Farage on the world stage?

I could see Badenoch on the world stage, but that’s not going to happen under the Tories.
She has way more personality than Starmer. Quicker, wittier than he could ever be.
I just love PMQS when she rips into to him week after week, Starmer just doesn’t have it in him to answer her questions. I feel embarrassed for him.
High light of my week 😂

As the comparison with Johnson has been raised by other posters (e.g. Boris had to go because of a party!), here’s a reminder of the timeline of Johnson’s scandalous actions as PM:

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-controversies-timeline-why-resign-b2260174.html

Some folk have very short memories!

LizzieDrip

As the comparison with Johnson has been raised by other posters (e.g. Boris had to go because of a party!), here’s a reminder of the timeline of Johnson’s scandalous actions as PM:

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-controversies-timeline-why-resign-b2260174.html

Some folk have very short memories!

I haven’t.

This is Starmer’s problem under his watch and has absolutely nothing to do with previous PM’s.

How can you be expected to know actions taken if you are not involved? What super powers is a civil servant meant to have? It’s Philip Barton who needs to be made accountable.

Political prejudices cloud judgement, which is never more obvious than on this thread. This is a time for a cool head.