Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any officials, aides and other Government appointees have been appointed (a) against the recommendations of security teams and (b) despite failing vetting.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) provides a range of independent vetting services designed to identify potential personnel security risks. Accountability for individual appointments and the management of associated vetting risks remains with the relevant department. To ensure the continued effectiveness and integrity of the vetting process, on the 20th of April the Prime Minister requested a short review led by Sir Adrian Fulford provide recommendations on the lessons for the National Security Vetting (NSV) system from the Peter Mandelson case, and the policy, process and exemptions in place for NSV.

It is long-standing practice that we do not comment on confidential details in individual vetting cases.