Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson has raised serious concerns about the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s Ambassador to the United States during an emergency debate in the House of Commons secured by the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP.
Dr Hudson pressed the Government to explain why the appointment was made. It has emerged that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting clearance in January 2025, despite a recommendation from the United Kingdom Security Vetting that clearance should be denied.
Dr Hudson’s intervention in the Commons came as Sir Olly Robbins, former Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Office, gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Sir Olly stated that there had been pressure from Downing Street to approve Mandelson’s appointment and that concerns raised by officials were not given due consideration.
In the Chamber, Dr Hudson asked Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister:
“We’ve heard a lot from the other side today about process, but can the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister please tell my constituents, tell the House, and the country, why on earth did the Prime Minister appoint Peter Mandelson to be the Ambassador to the United States?”
Speaking after the debate, Dr Hudson said:
“My constituents and people across the country want to know why Peter Mandelson was appointed to be the UK’s Ambassador to the United States.
"I asked the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. As ever on this, the Government has no answer.
“It is concerning that the Prime Minister has not yet set out a clear explanation as to why these serious warnings were overridden.
“The public deserves full transparency about how someone with such significant question marks over them was placed in one of the most important and sensitive diplomatic roles in the country.
“My constituents , Parliament and the country as a whole, deserve clear answers.”
