Security Vetting

Lord Harper Excerpts

Monday 20th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

It is hard to say what is in somebody’s mind when they make a judgment call. However, the Prime Minister has been very clear that he would not have made the appointment against the vetting recommendation. I do not think it should be the case that officials could make that judgment and not let the Prime Minister or other Ministers know that they are making that judgment. They might think they know what is in the Prime Minister’s mind, but they have to give the Prime Minister the information.

It is also the case that the Prime Minister was clear that, had he known this—and I think this also goes for other Ministers—there would have been a different outcome. What is the point of such a system if those who actually make the decisions on appointments are not given the outcome of the process?

[Lord Harper (Con)]

My Lords, the Prime Minister made it clear that he would have not made the appointment if he had the information from UK Security Vetting. At any point, did the Prime Minister or those working for him ask what the result of the UK security vetting process was? If not, why not?

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

My understanding is that the Foreign Office was asked to provide this to No. 10 and the Prime Minister. I could not tell the noble Lord who asked who, but the information was requested as it had been raised. However, they were never informed that there had been a recommendation; they were told that the appointment had been passed by the Foreign Office, but were not told that it was against the recommendation of UKSV.