MPs seek veto over political ambassadors after Mandelson row

MPs seek veto over political ambassadors after Mandelson rowImage source, PAImage caption, Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has called for an "open and transparent process" for top diplomatic postsByAnna LamchePublished1 minute agoParliament's Foreign Affairs Committee is seeking a veto on political appointments to top diplomatic posts following the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's posting as UK ambassador to the US.In a report published on Thursday, the committee said the due process taken in the appointment of Lord Mandelson "was being made up as it went along".Questions have been asked about the process that led Lord Mandelson to become US ambassador in 2024 - only for him to be sacked last year over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately.In April, it emerged that Lord Mandelson was granted security clearance by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - despite the fact concerns were raised about his appointment during the vetting process.The peer underwent a process called Developed Vetting (DV) after his appointment was announced but before he formally took up the role in February 2025.Image source, PAImage caption, Lord Mandelson was sacked last year over his links to EpsteinSir Olly Robbins, the FCDO's top civil servant, was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year over Lord Mandelson's security clearance. After his removal, Sir Olly there had been an "atmosphere of pressure" and "constant chasing" from Number10 while checks were taking place.In its recommendations, the report said that "no public appointments should be announced or made without the appropriate security clearance first being granted".The report said documents published about the process suggested...