Committee publication · Correspondence · 27 April 2026
Letter from Interim Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO, relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States, dated 27 April 2026
From: Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Summary
The Interim Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO responds to Foreign Affairs Committee questions about Lord Mandelson's vetting for appointment as Ambassador to the USA. The document explains the vetting process, confirms Mandelson received a "Fit and Proper Person" exemption before clearance, details the January 29 meeting between Ian Collard and Sir Olly Robbins where clearance was granted, and addresses pressure from No 10 to expedite the process.
Key findings
- FCDO was a 'makes recommendation' department; UKSV conducted vetting but FCDO's Personnel Security Team made final clearance decisions.
- UKSV's report described the case as 'high concern' and initially recommended 'clearance denied or withdrawn', but also stated 'very borderline case' with robust risk management recommended.
- Mandelson received exemption to access FCDO building unaccompanied and Secret-level information before DV clearance granted, with PUS approval; Private Secretary to notify those he met.
- Ian Collard did not see the UKSV report or cover page; was briefed orally by his team. No formal note taken of meeting with Sir Olly Robbins on 29 January 2026.
- Director ESND felt pressure from No 10 contact to PUS's office but does not assess it influenced professional judgement; UKSV conducted 'priority process' vetting (approximately 25 permitted per year).
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ian Collard, Lord Mandelson, Sir Olly Robbins, Sir Philip Barton, Foreign Secretary, Cabinet Office, UKSV, FCDO Personnel Security Team
Notable line
“This is a decision that Sir Olly, as Accounting Officer, has taken full responsibility for.”
Key Quotes
“(UKSV) conducted vetting enquiries and presented to the FCDO the evidence of their enquiries with a recommendation. Within the FCDO, the Personnel Security Team (PST) receive and review all departmental vetting evidence and assessments.”
“We do not have comprehensive figures on the number of decisions made by the FCDO which go against the recommendations made by UKSV. However, we would describe it as unusual but not exceptional – more than one a month.”
“At different points, both ESND in the FCDO and the GSG questioned whether DV vetting was required before reaching the settled view on 23 December that it was.”
“ESND afforded him a " Fit and Proper Person " exemption – in his capacity at that time as a Member of the House of Lords – to access the FCDO main building unaccompanied and to access IT and information up to Secret level.”
“Director ESND recalls that the discussion focused on areas of risk, the PST opinion of the risk and of the UKSV assessment, and consequent mitigation options in what was a borderline case.”
“When he subsequently reviewed the summary document in September 2025, he noted UKSV ' s statement that " this case presents as a high concern " with a recommendation of " clearance denied or withdrawn " .”
“No. Director ESND had not himself seen the paperwork or the boxes contained therein, and does not recall ever having seen a vetting summary document before then.”
“Yes. Director ESND says he felt pressure to deliver a rapid outcome to the vetting clearance procedure, in light of regular contact from No 10 to the FCDO PUS's office .”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗