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Olly Robbins Blocks Mandelson Vetting; Cat Little Confirms Clearance

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Olly Robbins blocked the Cabinet Office from receiving Peter Mandelson’s security-vetting summary, so UK Security Vetting sent it to Cat Little.
Cat Little confirmed Mandelson was cleared after the Foreign Office overrode security officials’ advice.
Little said no formal record exists of Prime Minister Keir Starmer approving Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment.
Little obtained legal advice and approached UK Security Vetting herself to satisfy a Commons humble-address motion demanding the documents.

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Story summary

Olly Robbins blocked the Cabinet Office from receiving Peter Mandelson’s security-vetting summary, so UK Security Vetting sent it to Cat Little.
Cat Little confirmed Mandelson was cleared after the Foreign Office overrode security officials’ advice.
Little said no formal record exists of Prime Minister Keir Starmer approving Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment.
Little obtained legal advice and approached UK Security Vetting herself to satisfy a Commons humble-address motion demanding the documents.