Officials ‘won’t release key vetting file on Mandelson’s appointment’
The Cabinet Office will reportedly be unable to release a key document related to the investigation into Peter Mandelson after the Metropolitan Police warned it could threaten the ongoing investigation.
The summary document prepared before Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US is no longer expected to be released by officials after warnings it could jeopardize any future investigations of the disgraced precedent.
Earlier this year it was revealed that Lord Mandelson had failed a critical security review but was given the job anyway. Concerns have been raised about his connections to figures in China, Russia and Israel.
He was sacked in September last year after it was revealed that he had continued his friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted of child sex crimes.
Recent reports on plans not to publish the baseline review document, Times, It comes after parliament’s intelligence watchdog accused the government of withholding certain documents, including the investigative dossier.
MPs had demanded the release of documents relating to the appointment of the former Labor Minister, using a parliamentary motion known as the humble speech.
It was decided that sensitive material, such as information that could endanger international relations or national security, would be forwarded to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).
But the ISC has since claimed the corrections were “applied too broadly” and its chairman, Lord Beamish, said ministers should seek permission from Parliament to exclude information on non-security grounds.
At the time, the Cabinet Office insisted that the UKSV summary document of Lord Mandelson’s review had been shared with the ISC and corrections had been mutually agreed before it could be published.
“We are determined to fully comply with this humble appeal,” a government spokesman said.
Scotland Yard launched a criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in a public office earlier this year after Lord Mandelson was accused of sharing sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary in 2009. He was arrested in February and released under investigation and has denied any wrongdoing.
The former US ambassador’s failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest during the investigation could constitute misconduct in public office.
A Met Police spokesman said: “An investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office is ongoing and it is vital that due process is followed to ensure that our criminal investigation and potential investigations are not compromised.
“We are working with the Cabinet Office to review the relevant documents provided to us by them.
“While complying with the Modest Conversation is a matter for the government and parliament, we have asked the Cabinet Office not to make certain documents public as it could have a detrimental impact on our investigation or any subsequent prosecution.”
A government spokesman said: “We are committed to full compliance with Humble Conversation.
“The second tranche of documents will be among the largest releases presented to Parliament so far.
“This reflects the transparent and comprehensive process we follow in line with established precedent for Humble Addresses.”
