Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 115825 on Resolution Foundation, which (a) senior official and (b) Minister approved the award of the contact to the Resolution Foundation.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
In her opening statement Baroness Hallett, the Chair to the Inquiry, stated that she will hear from expert groups with wide-ranging scientific and other expertise to ensure she has the widest and most diverse evidence possible in making her recommendations. This included drawing upon the knowledge of clinical experts, historians, social scientists, political scientists, data governance experts, statisticians and others.
The C19SF08RF25 contract, which involves the analysis and input of 2 expert witnesses, was then procured and awarded in line with the procurement rules as well as Cabinet Office Commercial policies and procedures.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the comments by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 4 February 2026, Official Report, Columns 372, on Lord Mandelson, which KCs will be advising the Cabinet Secretary.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary gave advice to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026 relating on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, how many separate volumes of returns he anticipates publishing..
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 111932, on Lord Mandelson, what discussions (a) Morgan McSweeney and (b) Paul Ovenden had via email on this matter.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Further to the oral statement of 2 February 2026, Official Report, Column 47, on US Department of Justice Release of Files, and with reference to the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson, whether the review will be assisted by the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team, including the members of PET who assisted in the drafting of the due diligence on Mandelson.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what role Chris Wormald played in the (a) selection and (b) appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what role the Cabinet Secretary played in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 112168, on Government, what role Tim Allan played in the new advice given to communication teams on UK Government branding.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The update to the branding guidance was the responsibility of the Government Communications Service.
This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025. Tim Allan was appointed in September 2025.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2026, to Question 112197, on Lord Mandelson, if he will publish Gordon Brown’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary and the reply; and whether that information is within scope of the Humble Address.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government has no plans to publish private correspondence between Rt Hon Gordon Brown and the former Cabinet Secretary.