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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
David Maddox

UNBELIEVABLE: Lammy must have known mandelson failed vetting says james cleverly - The Untold Story

  • Former foreign secretary James Cleverly stated it is "inconceivable" that Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy were unaware of Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting for the US ambassador position.
  • Cleverly's comments fuel accusations that Sir Keir scapegoated Sir Olly Robbins, the sacked Foreign Office permanent secretary, to deflect blame.
  • Sir Keir maintains he only discovered the vetting failure last week, despite The Independent reporting it in September of the previous year.
  • Former senior civil servants, including Simon McDonald, have criticised Sir Keir's decision, describing Sir Olly as being "thrown under a bus".
  • Sir Olly Robbins is anticipated to defend his actions at an upcoming Foreign Affairs Select Committee hearing, likely asserting that the appointment was a ministerial decision driven by Downing Street.

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