Starmer knew about Mandelson's links to Epstein, business links to China and Russia, and his previous resignations in disgrace - and was given a due diligence report detailing it. He still wanted to appoint him
The idea UKSV saying they had reservations would have dissuaded him isn't credible #PMQs
Starmer fails to answer whether request for Matthew Doyle to get an ambassadorial post came from him or whether he was aware.
Says abstractly when people are leaving roles, it's normal to look for other roles. Hmm. #PMQs
This is more than just a story about local corruption in Croydon
It highlights just how easy it was to rig the system that was used to select many Labour candidates for the 2024 election
In Croydon they got caught but, given all the complaints about Anonyvoter, did some get away with it elsewhere?
Mahmood is vile
"Elsewhere ... Mahmood was heckled by a man who said he wanted to "personally thank you for out-reforming Reform", while two other people chanting "refugees welcome" as he was dragged out.
The Home Secretary reportedly replied: "Fuck off, mate."
www.thenational.scot/news/2603938...
And here is @fdagensec.bsky.social speaking to @lbc.co.uk later: bsky.app/profile/fdag...
This has been Starmer's modus operandi since day one.
Who can forget him trying to sack Angela Rayner for the Hartlepool by-election defeat in 2021?
There's always someone else to blame with Starmer.
Emily Thornberry has since told Radio 4:
"It shows an arrogance amongst some people at No.10 where they just feel they can do what they want.
"To use the Foreign Office for sort of vanity projects in this way is unforgiveable."
Yes I agree.
You can actually see the moment Ed Miliband thinks, what's the point burning through whatever political credibility I've got left energetically defending a man who's going to be gone in a matter of weeks.
This is more than just a story about local corruption in Croydon
It highlights just how easy it was to rig the system that was used to select many Labour candidates for the 2024 election
In Croydon they got caught but, given all the complaints about Anonyvoter, did some get away with it elsewhere?
When we were in the Shadow Cabinet together, I said to the Prime Minister about Mandelson: "Distance yourself from this fellow. Don't touch him with a barge pole. He's toxic."
It's not really good enough to blame the process. This is about judgment.
It was 2.5 years ago that @insidecroydon.bsky.social first broke the story ...
insidecroydon.com/2023/11/23/l...
Four local Labour figures due in court next month on charges of conspiracy and computer misuse in relation to irregularities surrounding Labour’s 2023 candidate selection process for Croydon East.
Taken a lengthy police investigation ...
insidecroydon.com/2026/04/21/f...
NEW: Unemployment has fallen slightly to 1,780,000 - down 60,000 on 3 months ago, but up 205,000 in the last year
The wider underemployment measure fell only marginally to 5.15 million people underemployed, up by 296,000 on a year ago
There are currently 7.14 people seeking work for every vacancy
Emily Thornberry concludes hearing. End of thread.
"I'm afraid I'm in unknown HR territory", and therefore won't comment publicly on PM's reasoning for his sacking.
Sounds like a case of unfair dismissal is being considered (hence FDA GS sitting prominently behind Robbins)
Robbins says he doesn't fully understand why he is in the situation he is in (i.e. sacked) but that is subject to a different process.
And wishes he was still there leading his colleague in FCDO.
Robbins says given the way I have been treated in recent days (i.e. sacked) ... he regrets he didn't have some of the points made by the PM subsequently put to him before he was sacked.
Robbins says Starmer should have made it explicitly clear that he didn't want Mandelson appointed if UKSV was not cleared without reservations.
UK was pushing for US to grant agrement before UKSV had even started.
Robbins says DV process needs to encourage disclosure and then mitigate where possible any issues.
Says DV should not become "a pass/fail piety test" as that would rob the British state of some talented individuals
Robbins says he had many discussions with Mandelson about his Global Counsel interests and there was a mitigation process.
More about protecting Mandelson's reputation, and reputation of FCDO and Govt that GC not being advantaged in his work.
Robbins says he was not shown notes of the due diligence interviews with Mandelson.
And only heard the term 'due diligence report' after Mandelson was withdrawn.
Robbins says there are elements of the system he would want to change.
Robbins says PM given lines to deploy that had not been run past FCDO ...
Robbins says in immediate aftermath of Mandelson's sacking he asked the Cabinet Office to review vetting documentation, and Cabinet Office ultimately denied ...
Robbins cited Foreign Office Minister Doughty's line from 16 Sep that:
"the national security vetting process is rightly independent of Ministers, who are not informed of any findings other than the final outcome"
i.e. Robbins had no obligation (quite the opposite) to tell Ministers of nuances
Robbins says FCDO Security & Personnel Team in dialogue with UKSV about latter's unease, but FCDO thought it could be managed.
Robbins never saw and was never told red boxes ticked on form by UKSV.
Thornberry asks would his judgement have been different if he had. But answer lost in discussion
FCDO was told "Take forth the necessary arrangements at pace" i.e. get this done.
Robbins says there was dismissiveness of any vetting requirements. The appointment was already announced.
Brandreth asks does Robbins regret, in hindsight, clearing Mandelson ...
Robbins says he regerts process not done before announcement.
And regrets risks highlighted in due diligence didn't influence PM's judgement (i.e. against appointing)
Robbins says he "was very conscious" that if we had rejected clearance it would have caused a difficulty for the country, but he tried not to let it influence him or the process ...
Allegation that Morgan McSweeney phoned previous FCDO Perm Sec Sir Phillip Barton, and told him "just fucking approve it" re: Mandelson's vetting ..!
