Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the statement of 11 March 2026, Official Report, Column 364, on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion, for what reason she did not receive the request to approve the exit payment to Lord Mandelson.

The process around approval of the payment was set out by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 11 March. When officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) submitted the business case to HM Treasury, it was copied to individuals in the Cabinet Office and in No10 Downing Street, but was not sent to any FCDO ministers.