On 10 September 2025, as more details emerged about Lord Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein, Sir Keir was asked by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch if he had been aware of the pair’s connections when he made the appointment in December 2024.
The prime minister told MPs, external: “Full due process was followed during this appointment.”
On 16 April 2026, external it emerged the body that carries out developed vetting – UK Security Vetting (UKSV) – had recommended that Lord Mandelson should not be given security clearance for his ambassador’s role.
Sir Olly confirmed to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, external on 21 April that he personally approved Lord Mandelson’s security vetting clearance and did not tell the prime minister about the initial recommendations of UKSV – which he said was the proper process.
Sir Olly said in a letter to the committee, external: “When the prime minister informed the House that the proper process had been followed in respect of NSV [National Security Vetting], he was correct.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has questioned whether due process was followed because Mandelson’s security vetting happened after his appointment had been confirmed.
Sir Ed has pointed to a November 2024 letter to the PM from former Cabinet Secretary Sir Simon Case.
In the letter Sir Simon says: “You should give us the name of the person you would like to appoint and we will develop a plan for them to acquire the necessary security clearances and do due diligence on any potential Conflicts of Interest or other issues of which you should be aware before confirming your choice.”
Case’s successor as cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald said in a letter to the Commons public administration committee on 30 October 2025, external that such vetting: “Will usually happen after a job offer and before an individual takes up post.”
But Sir Olly’s predecessor Sir Philip Barton, giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the “the normal order is vetting then announcement”.