Arabic version: لجنة الشؤون الخارجية تطالب بسلطة الفيتو على التعيينات الدبلوماسية
According to BBC News,
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee is seeking a veto on political appointments to top diplomatic posts following the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson’s posting as UK ambassador to the US. In a report published on Thursday, the committee said the due process taken in the appointment of Lord Mandelson “was being made up as it went along”. Questions have been asked about the process that led Lord Mandelson to become US ambassador in 2024 – only for him to be sacked last year over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The report highlights that Lord Mandelson was granted security clearance by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) even though concerns were raised during the vetting process. It was noted that he underwent Developed Vetting (DV) after his appointment was announced but before he formally took up the role in February 2025. The inquiry into the vetting process has already led to the dismissal of Sir Olly Robbins, the FCDO’s top civil servant, following allegations of undue pressure during the checks.
In response to the findings, the committee has proposed that no public appointments should be announced without prior security clearance. It emphasized the need for a transparent process for political appointments, including compulsory pre-appointment hearings before the Foreign Affairs Committee. The report asserts that if the appointee is not felt to meet the standard required, the committee should have the power to veto the appointment.
Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concern over the lack of accountability in Lord Mandelson’s appointment, labeling it an “unmitigated disaster for the country.” She called for measures to ensure future appointments undergo thorough scrutiny, stating that vital security checks were treated as nuisances rather than necessary protocols.
In light of the controversy, a government spokesperson indicated that changes have already been made to the way the vetting process would apply for political appointees. An independent review of the National Security Vetting system, led by Sir Adrian Fulford, has also been commissioned to ensure that lessons are learned from this incident.
