British Prime Minister Starmer faces angry lawmakers over Mandelson's appointment as ambassador

On 20 April 2026, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced angry lawmakers in the UK Parliament over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. Starmer admitted the appointment was a mistake and said he would not have made it had he known about the failed security checks. He said he was not told Mandelson failed the vetting process, and he rejected calls to resign. The Guardian reported that Starmer would admit he had inadvertently given MPs misleading information.

Starmer said he had asked the government security group in the Cabinet Office to look at any security concerns raised during Mandelson's tenure, and the Telegraph reported he would investigate whether Mandelson leaked secrets in the US. Starmer also accused Robbins of obstructing the truth about the vetting. Mandelson was described as linked to Epstein.