By Viviana García
London, Apr 20 (EFE).- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a crucial political test this week as he appears before parliament to explain the controversial appointment of former minister Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, despite reportedly failing a security background check.
Mandelson, nicknamed the «Prince of Darkness,» has long been a controversial figure due to his political maneuvering, influence within the Labour Party, and past ties to convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer’s government dismissed Mandelson as head of the diplomatic mission in Washington in September 2025 after it emerged that, while serving as Business Secretary in 2010, he had facilitated Epstein’s access to sensitive British government documents, an action now under investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police.
Starmer defends Mandelson appointment
Since September 2025, the prime minister has repeatedly been forced to justify, both in parliament and in the media, why he appointed Mandelson despite his controversial background. Mandelson had assumed the role at the British embassy in Washington in February 2025.
The controversy deepened last Thursday when The Guardian reported that Mandelson had failed an internal security background check, something Starmer said he had been unaware of at the time.
The review was conducted by the UK Security Vetting Department (UKSV), an independent body responsible for assessing candidates’ backgrounds for public office.
Following the report, the government dismissed Olly Robbins, a senior Foreign Office official who allegedly ignored the UKSV’s recommendation and approved Mandelson’s appointment, which had been announced in late 2024.
On Friday, Starmer admitted he was furious that no one had informed him of the vetting result, but critics questioned why he had not sought confirmation of the background check outcome himself.
Opposition intensifies criticism
Opposition parties have questioned Starmer’s leadership and accused him of misleading parliament when he said in February that «due process» had been followed before Mandelson’s appointment.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of incompetence and misleading lawmakers, describing his position as «unsustainable.»
Conservative Cabinet Office spokesperson Alex Burghart told Sky News that «it is difficult to believe anything the prime minister says,» adding that Starmer appeared to «blame everyone except himself.»
Meanwhile, Technology Minister Liz Kendall told the BBC that if Starmer had known the results of the security review, «he would not have made that appointment.»
Media outlets have also questioned why Starmer did not publicly acknowledge the vetting failure when he first learned of it earlier in the week, and instead waited until The Guardian published the report.
The newspaper also reported that Antonia Romeo, head of the civil service, and Catherine Little, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, learned that Mandelson had failed the background check before Starmer did.
Crucial parliamentary appearances
The coming days may prove decisive, as Olly Robbins is scheduled to appear Tuesday before the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee to explain his role.
According to media reports, Robbins is expected to defend his actions and argue that he was following instructions from a prime minister determined to appoint Mandelson.
Amid the scandal, Mandelson has already resigned from his seat in the House of Lords and now faces a criminal investigation for alleged misconduct in public office.
The controversy comes just weeks before local elections in England and regional elections in Scotland and Wales on May 7, with opinion polls predicting heavy losses for Starmer’s Labour Party. EFE
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