Minister defends Starmer amid Mandelson revelations, saying vetting decision ‘utterly unacceptable’ – UK politics live

The prime minister has spoken to reporters in Paris this morning, saying it is “unforgivable” and “staggering” he wasn’t told Peter Mandelson was denied security clearance.

He said:

double quotation markThat I wasn’t told that he’d failed security vetting when I was telling parliament that due process had been followed is unforgivable.

Not only was I not told, no minister was told and I’m absolutely furious about it.

Keir Starmer added:

double quotation markIt is totally unacceptable that the prime minister making an appointment is not told that security vetting has been failed.

He added he will “set out all the relevant facts in true transparency” to parliament on Monday.