Security Vetting Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Security Vetting

Rebecca Smith Excerpts
Monday 20th April 2026

(1 day, 9 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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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.

Rebecca Smith Portrait Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) (Con)
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I wonder whether the Prime Minister knew the difference between the due diligence information from the Cabinet Office and the security vetting that had not taken place when he appointed Peter Mandelson on 18 December.

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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I did know the difference.