Ministers have no authority to withhold Mandelson vetting file, committee says
Summary
A UK parliamentary committee has said the government is wrongly withholding important files about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US. The committee finished reviewing most papers but was not given a key security vetting file, which the government does not have the right to keep secret from parliament.Key Facts
- The intelligence and security committee (ISC) reviews files about Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
- Parliament passed a motion requiring the government to release all related papers publicly.
- The government can only withhold documents that affect national security or international relations, after ISC review.
- The ISC completed its review but was not given the vetting file held by UK Security Vetting.
- This vetting file advised against giving Mandelson security clearance in January 2025.
- Despite this, Mandelson was granted clearance by a senior official who had not seen the file.
- The ISC says the government is wrongly making extra redactions beyond allowed reasons.
- The government is criticized for using unofficial communication methods and ignoring ISC rules.
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