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4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSecurity VettingThe process was that UKSV informs the FCDO of its findings and its recommendation, and then there is an escalation process, which is part of the process in the sense that it is…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThe decision to grant clearance was made by the FCDO. In September, it became clear to me that the answers to the due diligence that Peter Mandelson had given were not truthful,…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThat was a routine meeting in the course of a visit I was on in the US.20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI do not accept that the view of anyone about Peter Mandelson provides an explanation for not providing me with the information that the recommendation was not to grant him…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThe 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…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingMy hon. Friend is right to focus on the victims in this. I started this statement by making it clear that this was a judgment error on my part, and the apology that I have made is…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI am addressing the question about the process in relation to Peter Mandelson. I have set that out in some detail to the House and answered a number of questions.20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI understood the procedure to be that the appointment was made subject to the security vetting. [ Interruption. ] That is what I was told. The question the hon. Lady raises is the…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingYes, we will comply with the Humble Address in full. That is the process that is going on.20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingMay I address that head-on? What happened was that the information came to the attention of senior civil servants who were, in fact, doing the compliance work on the Humble…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI am not defending him behind process. I am setting out the process to the House.20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingBecause I wanted to know who took the decision, the basis upon which they took it, and who knew about the decision, so that I could set out a full account to the House, which is…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThe attention to the process began very much in September ’25, when the Bloomberg emails were published. That is when I agreed with the Cabinet Secretary that he would carry out a…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI made sure that the relevant inquiries were made so that I could put the full picture before the House. That is the approach I have taken, as Members have seen this afternoon.20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI have set out the facts to the House this afternoon. I have ordered a review of security vetting by Sir Adrian Fulford, so that if any further changes are needed, we can put them…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI have made it clear that my position was that the appointment was subject to developed vetting. I cannot in all conscience remember what exactly has been redacted. […20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingPeter Mandelson got DV clearance before he took up his post as ambassador. That clearance was given by the Foreign Office. I found out that that was against the recommendation on…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThe information was withheld from me and from the Cabinet Secretary, who was conducting a review on my behalf. That became clear yesterday, and I have set out the facts to…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThe due diligence report.20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingThe first I knew that there had been a recommendation to deny clearance was Tuesday evening of last week. The security clearance had been given by the Foreign Office before Peter…20 Apr 2026