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Starmer Regrets Mandelson Appointment, Cites Approval Oversight

4/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On April 20, 2026, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said foreign office officials did not inform him about granting security clearance to former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson, despite a January 2025 vetting agency recommendation against it.
He said appointing Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the United States was a mistake and expressed regret to Epstein's victims.
The remarks highlight the approval process.

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Story summary

On April 20, 2026, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said foreign office officials did not inform him about granting security clearance to former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson, despite a January 2025 vetting agency recommendation against it.
He said appointing Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the United States was a mistake and expressed regret to Epstein's victims.
The remarks highlight the approval process.