Ex-FCDO chief tells MPs he had concerns over Mandelson’s Epstein links

Philip Barton says there was pressure over pace of vetting from No 10, which he says was ‘uninterested’ in process

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The former Foreign Office chief has said he was concerned about Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffery Epstein – and said there was “absolutely” pressure from Downing Street over the pace of vetting.

Giving evidence to the foreign affairs select committee, the former Foreign Office permanent secretary Sir Philip Barton said Number 10 seemed “uninterested” in the vetting process around Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, and said there were no avenues for him to express his concerns.