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politics5h ago
Mandelson scandal is biggest crisis for diplomatic service in decades, says ex-Foreign Office chief
- Simon McDonald says Mandelson’s vetting case represents, in his view, the biggest diplomatic crisis in decades.
- Robbins allegedly knew about Mandelson’s vetting failure but did not pass it to ministers, according to the report.
- No. 10 was accused of hastily seeking a scalp, a claim McDonald described as a result of political pressure.
- The Cabinet Office released a vetting template showing an overall 'high' concern, yet Mandelson was cleared anyway.
- McDonald says the decision to appoint Mandelson despite concerns indicates a complicated case, not just misrepresentation.
- Starmer’s government faced questions over what ministers knew about Mandelson’s vetting results.
- watchdogs and Cabinet Office released materials to illustrate the vetting process and its flaws.
- The controversy prompted scrutiny of the Foreign Office’s handling of the Washington posting.
- The scandal is linked to broader debates over security vetting practices within the UK government.
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