New details have emerged regarding the decision to grant developed vetting to Peter Mandelson and the specific information shared with senior officials during the process.
The UKSV Vetting Process
The government recently published a template of the form used by UK Security Vetting (UKSV) when deciding whether to recommend security clearance.
The form utilizes a three-box system—green, amber, and red—to clearly indicate the vetting team’s final recommendation.
The Mandelson Recommendation
In the case of Peter Mandelson, the vetting team ticked the red box, which serves as an explicit recommendation not to approve the vetting.
Yet, Sir Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office at the time, has stated that he was never provided with this definitive information.
Robbins claims that the findings were not presented to him as being “definitive.” He maintains that he was instead told the situation was “borderline” and that officials were “leaning towards recommending against” the clearance.
Potential Consequences and Questions
This revelation may raise questions regarding whether other officials within the Foreign Office provided Robbins with the correct information.
it remains unclear if the prime minister was aware of exactly what information Robbins had seen when the decision was made to sack him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the red box on Peter Mandelson’s vetting form indicate?
The red box indicated an explicit recommendation from the UK Security Vetting (UKSV) team not to approve the vetting.
How did Sir Olly Robbins describe the information he received?
Robbins stated he does not recall the findings being “definitive,” claiming he was told the case was “borderline” and that they were “leaning towards recommending against” clearance.
Why is this discrepancy significant?
It raises questions about whether the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office was given correct information by his department and whether the prime minister knew what Robbins had seen before deciding to sack him.
Do you believe the distinction between a “borderline” assessment and an explicit “red box” recommendation is significant in high-level security appointments?
