One of Labour’s most senior MPs last night demanded answers from the Foreign Secretary over the vetting process for Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US.
Emily Thornberry wrote to Yvette Cooper – who has been in the job for just a week – showing the strength of unhappiness about the affair even in the party’s own ranks.
As chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, Dame Emily said she ‘repeatedly’ asked to question Lord Mandelson before his departure for the US in February but was denied by the Foreign Office and Ms Cooper’s predecessor, David Lammy.
Dame Emily asked for clarification over what security concerns were raised in the vetting process and how the Foreign Office responded to those concerns.
She also asked whether the Foreign Office felt the concerns represented a ‘potential barrier’ to Lord Mandelson’s appointment and if any conditions were imposed on his remit.
‘It has been suggested… that security concerns were overlooked… and that such decisions may have been taken by actors outside of the Foreign Office, perhaps senior people in No10,’ wrote Dame Emily.
‘These allegations are potentially very serious… it is my responsibility to ensure the House of Commons receives a thorough response to a number of important unanswered questions.’
Dame Emily added: ‘I hope that your department will look again at pre-appointment scrutiny so that it might prevent such embarrassing diplomatic incidents as this occurring again.’
Emily Thornberry (pictured) wrote to Yvette Cooper – who has been in the job for just a week – showing the strength of unhappiness about the Mandelson affair even in the party’s own ranks
Lord Mandelson, who was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s ambassador to the US, (right) with Donald Trump (left) in the Oval Office in May 2025
Keir Starmer had defended Lord Mandelson until the emergence of emails showing he had sent supportive messages to Jeffrey Epstein as the disgraced financier faced jail for sex offences.
Yesterday, Downing Street said the Prime Minister had confidence in the vetting system.
A No 10 spokesman added: ‘We always keep national security vetting and other procedures under constant review to make sure they retain their position as world-leading.’
