A report by the UK's Foreign Affairs Committee has concluded that the process for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador was "disastrous" and "made up as it went along," directly challenging Prime Minister Keir Starmer's assertion that "due process" was followed. The committee found that Downing Street "forced" the appointment onto the Foreign Office and that crucial security checks on Mandelson were treated as an "afterthought."
The report, published on July 8, 2026, details "appalling" record-keeping by both Downing Street and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It states that officials should have provided the Prime Minister with more comprehensive information regarding Mandelson's appointment and vetting, especially in light of his past associations, including with financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry stated that "processes were rushed or simply not followed" and that "vital security checks, integral to our national security, seemed to be viewed as a nuisance." She described Mandelson's appointment as an "unmitigated disaster" that damaged the government, was "painful and offensive to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein," and diminished the UK's standing internationally.
The committee found "no evidence" of how the shortlist for the Washington posting was developed or who was initially considered. Furthermore, there is no record of a meeting where Prime Minister Starmer decided to proceed with the appointment, making it "impossible to know" his specific response to the recommendation.
The report also noted that the incoming Trump administration had wished for the previous ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce, to remain in post. It highlighted Mandelson's history of political job losses due to poor judgment and vulnerability to outside influence, potential conflicts of interest from his consultancy Global Counsel, and his "known closeness to Jeffrey Epstein."
According to the report, the Foreign Office was not consulted on the appointment, and Downing Street displayed a "dismissive view" towards Mandelson's vetting. Sir Olly Robbins, the top diplomat who approved the appointment, "believed that he was carrying out the wishes of the Prime Minister" and proceeded based on advice that the vetting case was "borderline."
In response to the report's findings, a government spokesperson stated that processes have already been improved to ensure politically appointed ambassadors undergo security vetting before announcement or confirmation. The Prime Minister has commissioned an independent review of the National Security Vetting system, led by Sir Adrian Fulford, to ensure lessons are learned from the incident.