Mandelson vetting files withheld by ministers

A powerful parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing files relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador has revealed that the government is withholding his vetting file despite not having the authority to do so.

- Henry Dyer, Paul Lewis

In an extraordinary intervention, the intelligence and security committee (ISC) has criticised the government over its handling of the release of Mandelson-related papers and in effect accused ministers of failing to comply with parliament's will.

In February, parliament passed a motion known as a humble address requiring the government to publicly release all papers relevant to Mandelson’s appointment.

The government has repeatedly said that it will comply with the motion, which ordered that any documents that could be prejudicial to national security or international relations should first be reviewed by the ISC.

The group of senior MPs and peers have been reviewing the files to decide which, if any, should be redacted or withheld from public release.

In a statement yesterday, the ISC said it had completed its work but that it had not been provided with all the relevant documents.

“The committee has been told that certain documents are being withheld from the process,” the statement said. It said “the prime example” was a vetting file held by UK Security Vetting (UKSV), the agency that recommended Mandelson’s security clearance should be denied in January 2025.

The day after the recommendation the Foreign Office’s then permanent secretary, Olly Robbins, granted Mandelson his “developed vetting” status anyway, paving the way for him to take up post in Washington the following month.