If senior officials were being lent on behind ministers’ backs, that is deeply concerning.
And if civil servants are then left to carry the can, that only risks further damaging trust.
Serious questions to answer here about process, accountability & culture in Government.
Trump and the Iranians need to stop their posturing. Trump must lift his own blockade and Iran must stop its banditry in the Strait. Egos cannot be allowed to derail today's planned talks in Pakistan. Keir Starmer and reliable allies must press for peace.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Following yesterday’s talks in Paris, Keir Starmer must work with our reliable partners to pressure Trump and Iran back to the negotiating table.
By closing the Strait of Hormuz again, Iran is threatening to level more chaos on the world economy.
This brinkmanship must end. Donald Trump needs to lift his own reckless blockade and Iran needs to stop its banditry in the Strait.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq...
If Peter Mandelson failed developed vetting, Keir Starmer cannot wash his hands of it.
My op-ed on why responsibility for this goes right to the top👇
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
This news is incredibly welcome. If Iran honours this commitment, it will mark a vital de-escalation in this crisis. We now need to see the US ending its own reckless blockade of Iranian ports, which has only heightened the risk of the war restarting.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq...
There is a pattern here. Both Chris Wormald and Olly Robbins appointed by this Government. Both sacked by press release when Starmer under pressure. Robbins may have approved Mandelson but it’s not credible that he acted alone w/o instruction from No10.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
The Prime Minister, No10 and FCDO have some very big questions to answer.
None of these are good scenarios for Starmer. Either there is a culture of fear between No10 and FCDO that overrides national security concerns (1) or No10 overrides national security concerns without telling Starmer (2) or Starmer has lied (3).
Scenario 3: Mandelson failed his DV. No10 was informed and told the PM. Starmer said that was unacceptable and insisted it was revised.
Scenario 2: Mandelson failed his DV. No10 was informed but said that was unacceptable (without telling the PM) and someone senior in the FCDO insisted it was revised.
So what can possibly have happened? Scenario 1: someone in No10 let it be known that Mandelson HAD TO be appointed. When he failed his DV, someone senior in the FCDO decided that was not acceptable and insisted it was revised, without telling No10.
I have known cases where people failed and were never told why. I have never known a case where someone failed and this was overruled.
This matters because if you are susceptible to blackmail, bribery or extremism, you might give or sell secrets that put lives at risk. It’s a high and serious bar.
They call up nominated referees and ask them all about you. Finally, they interview you, at length, and spare no blushes. Drugs, infidelity, gambling, financial distress, association with extremism, sexual fetishes: they want to know if you are a security risk.
An investigator - usually a retired police or intelligence officer - looks into all aspects of your life: your lifetime addresses and overseas travel, your financial affairs, your relationships.
Developed Vetting is close to the highest level of security clearance. You need it to read material classified as Top Secret. For regular civil servants, it can take up to six months.
No10’s account is incredible.
I held Developed Vetting for nearly ten years and spent three years at the heart of the Cabinet Office. I have never heard of a Developed Vetting denial being overruled. Here’s why…🧵
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This has clearly breached international law and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Accountability must start with the UK sanctioning Benjamin Netanyahu.
The UK must also stop the export of all arms to Israel.
We need a multilaterally-backed plan to disarm the terror group Hezbollah.
We must also hold to account the members of the Israeli Security Cabinet who have authorised the appalling demolition of Lebanese homes in the south of the country.
The news of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon offers some hope for all those on both sides of the border who have been forced to flee their homes because of the fighting. We must now use this moment to deliver a lasting end to the conflict.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2...
Only 5% think Brexit has worked. Two-thirds of Gen Z want a rejoin referendum. The Brexit settlement is dying in real time - and the only party honest enough to say so is the Liberal Democrats.
Closer to Europe. Stronger at home. It really isn’t complicated.
The Liberal Democrats get stuff done.
From fixing church roofs to fighting for our communities, we deliver where others just talk.
On 7 May, vote Liberal Democrat.
MPs must be given the chance to hold the Government to account and prevent the UK from being complicit in war crimes and breaches of international law. Air base access must also be withdrawn now.
This is a grave and era-defining moment for the world. Donald Trump is making wilder and increasingly concerning threats by the hour.
If Trump follows through with this, Keir Starmer must immediately recall Parliament.
I have written to the Prime Minister with Liberal Democrat colleagues to urge him to withdraw or severely limit US access to UK air bases.
If Trump is threatening attacks on civilian targets in Iran, Britain cannot allow our bases to be used to commit war crimes.
Getting around is becoming unaffordable and families are paying the price.
Trump’s war in Iran is pushing up fuel costs. While the Tories & Reform cheer on the chaos, the Lib Dems are calling for emergency action: cut fuel duty by 10p, cap bus fares at £1 and cut rail fares by 10%.
@monicaharding.bsky.social and I have written to the Foreign Secretary as the crisis across the Middle East worsens.
The Government must secure a multilaterally-backed, negotiated end to the war in Iran, and work to protect lives and rights across Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza.
I welcome this commitment to work with other countries to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump is tearing up global alliances and going it alone. The UK should set a different lead by working with other reliable allies and through the UN.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
This law is an affront to decency, fairness and the rule of law. Discriminating against Palestinians contravenes Israel's obligations under international law. UK must call for the Israeli Government to revoke this discriminatory and inhumane legislation.
news.sky.com/story/israel...
