Epstein affair British connections

Information: Mandelson failed security clearance

The UK Foreign Office overrode a failed security clearance when appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, according to an investigation by The Guardian.

According to several sources for the newspaper, Mandelson was rejected at the end of January 2025. But because Prime Minister Keir Starmer had already announced that he would be appointed ambassador, officials at the Foreign Office were left in a dilemma – and the security clearance was ignored.

It is unclear whether Starmer was informed of the result, as the UK Security Clearance Service (UKSV) issues its assessments as recommendations. It is also unclear who at the Foreign Office chose to proceed despite the objections.

Mandelson was sacked after information emerged about his contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Keir Starmer has been criticized for appointing him, and Starmer has apologized for the

decision.
 

Opposition demands Starmer's resignation after Mandelson

The opposition in Britain is demanding that Prime Minister Keir Starmer resign after The Guardian revealed that Peter Mandelson failed the security clearance to become the US ambassador, several media outlets report.

"In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford a prime minister the country does not trust. Starmer has failed our national security. He should resign," writes Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on X, according to Sky News.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey is also demanding Starmer's resignation:

"If Keir Starmer has misled Parliament and lied to the British people, he must resign," he writes on X, according to AFP.

A government spokesman confirmed that the Foreign Office went ahead with Mandelson's appointment despite him failing the security clearance, but that neither Starmer nor the Foreign Secretary knew about it until this week, AFP writes.