Speeches by Brandreth.

“Would you, though—given that we have talked about the level of note taking that is required, and where there might be notes and minutes—have expected to see notes in relation to that from a special adviser or PPS?”

“Obviously we have now heard in this case that Peter Mandelson was granted security clearance despite the recommendation of UKSV, and that he obviously had risks or mitigations that were managed. Are you aware of any other individuals who might be in a similar position, where the ultimate granting of security clearance …”

“Thank you for giving us so much of your time. I want to clarify what you have said about the information that has already come through in the Humble Address and is expected still to come through. My understanding was that initially it was supposed to be provided by 10 April, but there is still further information to co…”

“Sorry. I tried to cheat—I got one question and asked three.”

“What date do you expect to have it by? Do you think information is missing? And were Ministers asked to hand over information from their mobile phones?”

“Have all Ministers complied with that?”

“Sir Oliver Robbins, in his evidence to the Committee, told us that Peter Mandelson was given access to classified documents before he was granted security vetting. Would you say that is unusual?”

“Obviously, we have talked a bit about how accurate notes are required to be kept, although obviously not for every single conversation that happens. Will the Humble Address include notes or a minute on the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the position?”

“As part of that? Or do you know why his appointment appears to have been made without saying that it was subject to security clearance?”

“Thinking through where there might have been other political appointments into roles, it is quite unusual, obviously, to have political appointments, especially to such senior roles. We know, however, that for example Jonathan Powell is a political appointment as National Security Adviser, but he was also special envoy…”

“Okay, thank you. Q780 Fleur Anderson: I am going to ask you some questions about your document gathering, going back to the documents referring to the very early stages of the process, before the vetting and before the appointment. First, about the pre-appointment conversations that Morgan McSweeney may have held, woul…”

“What was the reason, in your opinion, that it didn’t move forwards?”

“What was the reason, in your opinion, that it didn’t move forwards?”

“Thank you. I want to focus on the decision process that you went through to consider the recommendation of UK Security Vetting and the ultimate decision that you made to grant security clearance. When you were considering the recommendation and the risks that were brought to you by UKSV, did the findings, in your view,…”

“If they had concluded the security vetting process, as was Simon Case’s recommendation, prior to formally making an announcement of the appointment, would that have changed the judgment that you made in terms of granting security clearance?”

“But is it fair to say that he did ask you?”

“In retrospect, with everything that we know now, do you regret granting security clearance for Lord Mandelson?”

“You say that you follow due process. Would you say that you would have made the same decision to grant clearance if it had been any other person being considered for ambassador? For example, if it had been a civil servant being considered rather than a political appointment, do you think you would have made the same ju…”

“Okay. You were required to make the ultimate decision to grant or not grant security clearance. Given that, as you have said, the public announcement of Lord Mandelson’s appointment had already been made, in December ’24, before you took up the post, given that the White House had already confirmed it would accept, and…”

“Thank you. I want to focus on the decision process that you went through to consider the recommendation of UK Security Vetting and the ultimate decision that you made to grant security clearance. When you were considering the recommendation and the risks that were brought to you by UKSV, did the findings, in your view,…”