UK's Starmer seeks to deflect blame over Mandelson appointment
British Premier Keir Starmer put the blame firmly on external government department representatives on Monday over the appointment of a US diplomatic
An illustrative image related to: UK's Starmer seeks to deflect blame over Mandelson appointment, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: Geo News
UK's Starmer seeks to deflect blame over Mandelson appointment
British Premier Keir Starmer put the blame firmly on external government department representatives on Monday over the appointment of a US diplomatic representative, saying they had withheld information about Labour veteran Peter Mandelson that would have halted his employment.
Starmer, under pressure to resign by political opponents over the controversy, has repeatedly sought to defend his role in the appointment of Mandelson and turned to legislature to set out his case that he was unaware that external government department representatives had been advised not to give protection clearance to him.
He again stated he regretted appointing Mandelson, whom he sacked in September after revelations about the depth of his ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The events have prompted questions about the premier's judiciary decision, which resurfaced when the province stated last week it had just found out Mandelson had failed a protection vetting process.
On Monday, Starmer again expressed his anger over not being informed by external government department representatives that in January 2025, they had disregarded advice and decided to grant Mandelson what is known as "developed vetting" clearance, a status that allows individuals access to information regarded as top secret.
"It beggars belief that throughout the whole timeline of events, representatives in the external office saw fit to withhold this information from the most senior ministers in our system in province," Starmer informed legislature.
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