Lord Mandelson Humble Address: Government Response Update

Chris Vince Excerpts

Monday 27th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Darren Jones]

I always enjoy the right hon. Gentleman’s interventions, but that did not pertain to the statement before us. [Interruption.]

[Chris Vince (Harlow) (Lab/Co-op)]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Interruption.]. Are we all finished? I thank the Chief Secretary for returning to the House again on this issue. Will he reiterate how due process for the conducting of security vetting before appointments are announced will change as a result of this affair?

[Darren Jones]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. As has been said at the Dispatch Box before, it was previously due process that for the appointments of ambassadors and direct ministerial appointments, vetting took place after the announcement and before the commencement of the contract for employment. Given the problems that have been shown to be applicable to these processes, that has now changed.