Security Vetting Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Security Vetting

John Milne Excerpts
Monday 20th April 2026

(1 day, 11 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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I have made it clear that I knew what was in the due diligence. I have also made it clear that the FCDO granted security clearance before Peter Mandelson took up his post.

John Milne Portrait John Milne (Horsham) (LD)
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There is a simple question to which we still do not have an answer. Did Peter Mandelson fail his vetting procedure because of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, or was there some other reason as yet undisclosed?

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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The information that was fed into the review, and the reasons for the review, are protected. This is not a Peter Mandelson issue; it is about the integrity of the process. What I do not accept is that that means I cannot be told the recommendation that comes out of it.