British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected calls to resign, insisting allegations he misled MPs over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK envoy to Washington have been “put to bed”.
The embattled premier made the statement in parliament amid intensifying political pressure following his admission of an “error of judgement” in backing Mandelson for the high-profile diplomatic role.
Pressure mounts after security clearance row
The controversy centres on concerns raised during Mandelson’s vetting process, which reportedly recommended denying him security clearance. Starmer has maintained he was unaware of that recommendation at the time of the appointment.
He shifted blame onto Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s most senior official, whom he dismissed last week over the affair.
Starmer told MPs that Robbins confirmed he did not share the security concerns with Downing Street.
“That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me in relation to dishonesty,” Starmer said.
He insisted that had he known of the negative vetting advice, the appointment would not have gone ahead.
Timeline of the appointment
Mandelson was named envoy in December 2024, shortly before Donald Trump returned to the White House. He officially assumed the role in February 2025.
However, details of the security risks flagged during the vetting process remain undisclosed.
Officials have clarified that the concerns were unrelated to Mandelson’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Opposition raises fresh concerns
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed Starmer’s defence, pressing him on why he proceeded with the appointment despite other red flags.
She cited a due diligence report alleging Mandelson maintained ties with a Kremlin-linked defence firm after Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine.
“Why did the prime minister want to make a man with links to the Kremlin our ambassador in Washington?” Badenoch asked.
The scandal has already claimed a senior resignation, with Starmer’s former aide, Morgan McSweeney, stepping down over his involvement. He is expected to testify before MPs next week.
Meanwhile, Robbins told lawmakers that Downing Street exerted sustained pressure on officials to approve Mandelson’s appointment despite security concerns.
He described the tone as not merely urging speed but demanding completion, calling it “a pretty unmistakable feeling”.
