Lead

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has admitted he was wrong to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, but has rejected mounting calls to resign over the scandal. The admission came as it emerged that Mandelson had failed security vetting due to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and that the Foreign Office had overruled the security recommendation without the prime minister's knowledge.

Coverage comparison

Reports from multiple outlets, including ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian, converge on the core facts: Starmer told parliament on Monday that the appointment was a mistake, and that he would have withdrawn it had he known about the overruled vetting recommendation. However, coverage varies in emphasis. ABC Australia and Al Jazeera both reported Starmer's rejection of resignation calls, while The Guardian focused on Starmer's anger, quoting him calling the situation "unforgivable." The Jerusalem Post highlighted Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy's defense of Starmer. The Hindu reported that Starmer has no plans to resign.

Key claims

  • Mandelson's failed vetting: Multiple sources report that Peter Mandelson was appointed as ambassador despite failing security checks due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. According to The Guardian, security officials initially recommended denial of clearance in late January 2025, but Foreign Office officials overruled this using a rarely used authority.
  • Starmer's knowledge: Starmer has insisted he was not told about the failed vetting, and that no minister was. As reported by ABC Australia and Al Jazeera, Starmer said it "beggars belief" that officials withheld the information. A government spokesperson also denied that Starmer had any knowledge of the Foreign Office's decision to override the recommendation.
  • Foreign Office's role: The Guardian and other sources confirm that the Foreign Office overruled the security recommendation without informing the prime minister. The Guardian reported that Starmer sacked the Foreign Office's most senior civil servant, Olly Robbins, over the failure to inform ministers.
  • Opposition calls for resignation: According to ABC Australia and Al Jazeera, opposition leaders, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, called for Starmer's resignation, accusing him of misleading parliament. Badenoch said Starmer "didn't want to know" about the vetting failure.
  • Sacking of Mandelson: Multiple sources report that Mandelson was sacked as ambassador in September 2025 after new details emerged about his ties to Epstein. The Hindu reported that Mandelson was sacked after less than a year in the role.
  • Vote on inquiry: According to Dawn and ABC Australia, lawmakers voted 335 to 223 against launching an inquiry into whether Starmer misled parliament. The vote rejected a motion by the Conservative Party to refer Starmer to the Committee of Privileges.

Perspectives

The scandal has raised questions about Starmer's judgment, with some commentators noting his already low public popularity. However, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who was foreign secretary at the time, expressed confidence that Starmer would not have appointed Mandelson had he known about the vetting failure. The government has promised a full disclosure of the facts, with Starmer set to make a statement in parliament.

While opposition leaders have called for resignation, the vote against an inquiry suggests Starmer retains the support of his party. Some Labour MPs, however, have expressed dissent, indicating underlying discontent within the party. The government has also announced a review of the security vetting process, signaling an attempt to address systemic concerns raised by the case.