Ministers are accused of hiding key information on Peter Mandelson as crucial file on his vetting to stay secret
Ministers were accused of withholding important information about Peter Mandelson after it emerged that a key dossier relating to his investigation would not be released.
The Cabinet Office will no longer release a summary of the security review of the precedent before his appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US after Scotland Yard said it could jeopardize any future investigation.
The nine-page document, compiled by the UK Security Review (UKSV) agency, was planned to be included in the second tranche of the Mandelson files, which is expected to be released as early as this week.
Last month it emerged that the investigating agency, which is part of the Cabinet Office, had recommended that Mandelson’s review be rejected. UKSV is thought to be concerned about its associations, including China.
Alex Burghart, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: ‘The smell of scandal will continue to waft through Keir Starmer’s government until it is honest about who knew and when. The Cabinet Office has informed that the UKSV summary document will be published; This commitment must be fulfilled.’
Last week senior ministers were accused of trying to conceal their messages with Mandelson. Officials reportedly had to ask for them multiple times before they were presented by Cabinet members.
The Cabinet Office will not release a summary document on the security review of Peter Mandelson ahead of his appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US (Mandelson filmed in London on 14 May 2026)
The Intelligence and Security Committee, which is tasked with examining the corrections made by the Government on national security grounds before the documents are published, said that the corrections made for non-security reasons were ‘very widely applied’.
Mandelson’s failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest during the review process could constitute public misconduct.
A government spokesman said: ‘We are determined to abide by Humble Conversation’ [that forced the released of documents] completely. ‘The second tranche of documents will be among the largest releases presented to Parliament so far.’
