- Former foreign secretary James Cleverly stated it is "inconceivable" that Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy were unaware of Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting for the US ambassador position.
- Cleverly's comments fuel accusations that Sir Keir scapegoated Sir Olly Robbins, the sacked Foreign Office permanent secretary, to deflect blame.
- Sir Keir maintains he only discovered the vetting failure last week, despite The Independent reporting it in September of the previous year.
- Former senior civil servants, including Simon McDonald, have criticised Sir Keir's decision, describing Sir Olly as being "thrown under a bus".
- Sir Olly Robbins is anticipated to defend his actions at an upcoming Foreign Affairs Select Committee hearing, likely asserting that the appointment was a ministerial decision driven by Downing Street.
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