from HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to world@lemmy.world on 20 Apr 17:14
https://sh.itjust.works/post/58848861
The then cabinet secretary, Simon Case, appeared to advise Keir Starmer to complete security vetting for Peter Mandelson before announcing an appointment, documents reveal.
The documents released last month by the Cabinet Office as part of the disclosures over the US ambassadorial appointment also show Mandelson was offered a “higher tiers” briefing before his vetting was finalised.
In a letter written by Case to the prime minister, he is advised that in order to give the Washington role to a political appointee, the Foreign Office would “develop a plan for them to acquire the necessary security clearances and do due diligence on any potential conflicts of interest or other issues of which you should be aware before confirming your choice”.
The letter, sent on 11 November 2024, said the decision would then be formalised by the foreign secretary in a letter to the Foreign Office. Mandelson’s appointment was announced by No 10 just over a month later, on 20 December.
The documents also show Mandelson was offered a “higher tiers” briefing on 6 January, before his developed vetting was confirmed on 29 January. This means he was offered highly classified briefing from the Foreign Office as US ambassador before he finished the formal vetting process, one he is now known to have failed before that outcome was overruled by the Foreign Office.
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