Top British government officials expressed support for Prime Minister Keir Starmer amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. Starmer is set to address parliament regarding the appointment, which occurred despite Mandelson failing security checks.
The Prime Minister, under scrutiny for the handling of the situation, disclosed that he was unaware of Mandelson’s security clearance issues, describing it as “unforgivable.” Starmer attributed the appointment to the Foreign Office’s decision, leading to the dismissal of the department’s top civil servant, Olly Robbins.
Critics, including former civil servants and opposition leaders, accused the government of scapegoating Robbins and called for Starmer’s resignation, citing allegations of incompetence and misleading the public. Technology Minister Liz Kendall emphasized that Starmer would not have chosen Mandelson if aware of the security clearance problem.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who was Foreign Secretary during Mandelson’s appointment, echoed similar sentiments, questioning the Foreign Office’s failure to inform Downing Street. Despite facing public backlash for various policy missteps, Starmer received support from Kendall, who commended his decisions regarding EU relations and the Iran conflict.
Both Kendall and Lammy highlighted Starmer’s integrity and acknowledged his admission of the appointment error. Lammy expressed astonishment at the lack of communication between government departments, emphasizing the need for transparency.
Starmer’s decision to dismiss Mandelson in September 2025 following revelations of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who was linked to sex-trafficking allegations before his death in 2019, further intensified the scrutiny. Mandelson, a former Labour minister, faced police investigations for alleged misconduct during his tenure, resulting in his arrest and subsequent release in February.
Despite the ongoing investigations, Mandelson maintains his innocence and denies any criminal activities.