Badenoch says Starmer's position untenable as PM 'furious' over Mandelson vetting

Keir Starmer says it's "staggering" he was not told Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador Speaking from a summit in France, the prime minister says he's "absolutely furious" and will update MPs in Parliament on Monday Opposition leaders are calling for Starmer to resign, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch saying the PM's position is "untenable" - here's what others have said Anger over Mandelson's appointment flared up again on Thursday, after the prime minister effectively sacked the Foreign Office's most senior civil servant Olly Robbins Robbins was ousted after the government said the Foreign Office did not tell Starmer that Mandelson had failed vetting - what is vetting? Chris Mason analysis: There are some, both on the opposition benches and within Labour, who think this might yet cost the prime minister his job Edited by Emily McGarvey and Caitlin Doherty Mandelson hosted a welcome reception for Starmer at the ambassador's residence in Washington in February 2025 Once again, Starmer has been forced to defend his decision-making in hiring Lord Mandelson as his ambassador to the US. A Guardian report sparked this latest episode in the long-