LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing renewed calls to resign after it emerged that former ambassador Peter Mandelson failed security vetting but was still allowed to take up his post.
The government confirmed Mandelson was later dismissed after Starmer said he had lied about the extent of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officials said Starmer was unaware that the Foreign Office had overruled the failed vetting decision.
A source added that the Foreign Office’s most senior official, Olly Robbins, will leave his role after losing the prime minister’s confidence. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said Starmer should take responsibility, accusing him of misleading parliament and the public.
Starmer has apologised for the appointment but defended himself, blaming Mandelson for a “litany of deceit” and pledging to release documents of his appointment process. Senior minister Darren Jones said Starmer was “furious” at not being informed about the failed vetting and will update parliament. He maintained the prime minister did not mislead parliament, though the process was flawed.
Mandelson is also under police investigation for allegedly leaking government documents to Epstein. He has not publicly commented on the allegations.
