British Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted on Monday that he made an incorrect judgment in appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to Washington, saying that he would not have gone ahead if he had known that Mandelson had failed security checks.Speaking in the House of Commons, Starmer said the facts about Mandelson’s examination “could and should have been shared with me before he took office”. He added: “If he had known, I would not have gone ahead with the appointment.”
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Starmer has rejected calls to resign amid the controversy. Mandelson was fired in September, nine months into the job, following new details about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer has been warned by his staff that the connection poses a “reputational risk”.
Documents released by the US Department of Justice in January included emails indicating that Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein in 2009 after the global financial crisis.The Prime Minister said he was “furious” that he had not been told that an extensive vetting process had recommended that Mandelson should not receive a security clearance. He blamed State Department officials, saying they failed to inform him, although the department eventually cleared Mandelson.
His explanation was met with disbelief from lawmakers. “I know many members of the House will find these facts astonishing,” Starmer said. “In this regard, I can only say that they are right. It is unbelievable.”Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch harshly criticized Starmer, saying: “He doesn’t seem to ask any questions at all. Why? Because he doesn’t want to know.” She later added that he “threw his employees and officials under the bus.”Senior ministers have backed him, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy saying that if Starmer had known about the failed vetting process, he “would never have appointed him as ambassador”.After these facts were revealed, Starmer sacked Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s chief civil servant. However, Robbins’ allies say he would not have been able to share sensitive audit details with the prime minister. Robbins is expected to present his account to the Foreign Affairs Committee.The issue has alarmed Labor Party members, who are already concerned about poor poll rates. Pressure could increase if the party performs poorly in the upcoming local and regional elections on May 7.Critics say the controversy highlights wider challenges in Starmer’s leadership since Labor’s election victory in July 2024, as it has struggled with economic growth, public services and the cost of living, along with several political upheavals.British police launched a criminal investigation and arrested Mandelson in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He denied any wrongdoing and no charges were brought against him. He does not face charges of sexual misconduct.