Senior Labour MP demands answers over vetting process for Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador
One of the most senior deputies of Labour last night asked the external secretary regarding the veterinary process for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the US Ambassador.
Emily Thornberry wrote to Yette Cooper, who was only at work for a week – the party’s own ranks showed the power of unhappiness about the relationship.
As the President of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Dame Emily said that she wanted Lord Mandelson to query Lord Mandelson before leaving the United States in February, but was rejected by Mrs. Cooper’s predecessor David Lammy.
Dame Emily asked for a statement about which security concerns were brought to the agenda during the veterinary process and how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to these concerns.
He also asked whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented a ‘potential obstacle’ to the appointment of Lord Mandelson and whether any condition was applied to his mission.
Dame Emily, “ “ security concerns are ignored … and such decisions outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the actors, perhaps by the senior people in NO10, ” Dame Emily wrote.
‘These claims are potentially very serious … It is my responsibility to ensure that the House of Commons received a comprehensive answer to a number of important answers.’
Dame Emily added: ‘I hope your department will look back at the assignment measure again, so such embarrassing diplomatic events take place again.’
Emily Thornberry (in the picture) wrote to Yette Cooper, which is at work for just a week – shows the power of unhappiness about the Mandelson incident even in the ranks of the party
Lord Mandelson, who was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer as the US Ambassador of England, with Donald Trump (left) at Oval Office in May 2025
Keir Starmer defended Lord Mandelson until the emergence of e -mails showing that he had sent supportive messages to Jeffrey Epstein because he was sentenced to imprisonment for infamous financial sex crimes.
Yesterday, download Street, the prime minister said he trusted the veterinary system.
No 10 spokesman added: ‘We always keep the national security veterinarian and other procedures under constant examination to ensure that they maintain their position as the world leader.’
