A former British Foreign Office official revealed that Number 10 showed a 'dismissive attitude' toward the security vetting process for Peter Mandelson's US ambassadorship. The controversy resurfaces reports that independent officials had recommended denying him clearance due to past links to Jeffrey Epstein.

A former senior British Foreign Office official says he was under “constant pressure” from the Prime Minister’s office to speed up Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US, escalating a political row that is now threatening Keir Starmer’s leadership. Olly Robbins, the department’s most senior official until his dismissal last week, told a parliamentary committee that Number 10 showed a “dismissive attitude” toward security vetting for the appointment. It follows reports that indepen...