Found: concerns without breaking confidentiality must be found. 1 10 Downing Street, Appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: Williamson: The Foreign Office lied to me when I put down written parliamentary questions on Lord Mandelson

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, page 107, what confidential undertakings were agreed.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The settlement agreement between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Peter Mandelson was published as part of the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122146 on Lord Mandelson, whether the steps taken to retain material include (a) accessing tape backups and (b) turning off the autodelete policy on Number 10 computers.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The methodological note included in this publication provides a detailed overview of the information gathering process.

The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 27 April (HL16205), whether Lord Mandelson was involved in the Sale of Student Loans Act 2008 legislation and subsequent policy; and through what mechanisms Lord Mandelson’s correspondence and private office papers from that period has been reviewed.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department does not hold records of any involvement of Lord Mandelson in this policy area. Lord Mandelson was not a government minister at the time the Act was passed.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what dates did (a) Cat Little, Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, and (b) Antonia Romeo, Cabinet Secretary, find out that Lord Mandelson had failed UKSV clearance.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary’s evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 23 April 2026.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) Cabinet Office Ministers and (b) the Prime Minister were consulted on and approved the exit payment to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 11th March and 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The approval process for the payment was detailed by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 11 March. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 2 June 2026 to question HL105 on Lord Mandelson, for what reason Lord Mandelson’s visit to 11 Downing Street on 8 January 2025 was not recorded in transparency returns; and whether a civil servant was present at the meeting.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the time of the meeting Peter Mandelson was a Parliamentarian and it was therefore not included in the return in line with the guidance on publishing Ministers’ meetings.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department made of the potential impact of Lord Mandelson's shareholdings in Global Counsel on his suitability to be appointed as UK Ambassador to the United States prior to that appointment being made.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson (a) completed and (b) passed his STRAP clearance process when Ambassador.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 3351 on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson as Ambassador provided advice in relation to the (a) decision of the Government not to publish the China Audit and (b) the presentation of the conclusions of the China Audit.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was investigated for misconduct under the Civil Servant Code or Diplomatic Service Code prior to his dismissal.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 June (HC3788), whether civil servants in the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team who worked on Lord Mandelson’s due diligence recused themselves from involvement in the response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

I refer the Noble Lady to the answers given to House of Commons questions UIN 115826, 115828 and 120374: “Staff from across the Cabinet Office including but not limited to the Public Inquiry Response Unit and the Propriety and Constitution Group are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary.”

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the statement of 11 March 2026, Official Report, Column 364, on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion, for what reason she did not receive the request to approve the exit payment to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The process around approval of the payment was set out by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 11 March. When officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) submitted the business case to HM Treasury, it was copied to individuals in the Cabinet Office and in No10 Downing Street, but was not sent to any FCDO ministers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2026, to Question 9084, on Lord Mandelson, what information his Department holds on whether the Intelligence and Security Committee had access to independent legal advice other than Cabinet Office or Government Legal Service lawyers for the consideration of the redactions on the Humble Address.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Government does not comment on the resourcing decisions taken by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason Matthew Doyle was asked to undertake supplementary due diligence on Lord Mandelson being appointed as Ambassador, and whether the nature of Mr Doyle’s relationship with Mandelson was (a) declared or (b) considered as a potential conflict of interest.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2026 to Question 6444 on Lord Mandelson, if she will set out in which ways the policy of commenting on individual personnel matters has applied in relation to the response to the House's Humble Address on Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the information Lord Mandelson provided as part of the vetting process for his appointment to UK Ambassador to the United States impacted his dismissal from that role.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Prime Minister made the decision to withdraw Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States on 11 September 2025. The decision was made in light of the publication of emails written by Peter Mandelson that showed that the depth and extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2026 to Question 428 on Members: Correspondence, and with reference to the FCDO Complaints Procedure published on gov.uk, whether a formal complaint under Stage 1 can be taken forward if the Civil Servant in question leaves the Civil Service.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

Stage one of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Complaints Procedure published on gov.uk relates specifically to complaints about consular service. This would not be an appropriate avenue for a complaint of this nature to be pursued.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, if he will publish the completed UKSV tick box vetting form relating to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 5780 on Lord Mandelson, whether the Gordon Brown correspondence on Lord Mandelson was passed to the Metropolitan Police.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) Cabinet Office Legal Advisers and (b) the National Security Adviser had a role in redaction of the material to be released in response to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government’s methodology in complying with the Humble Address was set out in the Volume II publication.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what role did the UK National Security Advisor have in the (a) consideration, (b) selection and (c) appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what correspondence his Department had with Global Counsel in the period that Lord Mandelson was Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

There was no formal correspondence, between DSIT Ministers and Global Counsel during the period specified.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, whether people mentioned in the Government return to the Humble Address were consulted on any (a) exclusions and (b) redactions in the material that was released prior to publication; and whether there was a Maxwellisation process.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police. The methodological note included in this publication provides a detailed overview of the information gathering and redactions process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volume 1 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, who was interviewed by the General Counsel to the Prime Minister in his fact-finding exercise in the context of the return to the Humble Address; and how many people were interviewed.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson used a non-government email address for government business while he was Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, what the terms of reference were of the fact-finding exercise of the General Counsel to the Prime Minister in the context of the return to the Humble Address; and whether there was a report of that exercise.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, whether papers relating to Global Counsel were in scope of the response to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 94015 on Lord Mandelson and Deposited Paper 2025-0825, committed on 2 December 2025, if he will publish the information provided in answer to Questions 15 and 16 for Lord Mandelson's form.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who first suggested to the Prime Minister that Peter Mandelson should be appointed as Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson included information that had been held by civil servants who had left Crown Service.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police. The methodological note included in this publication provides a detailed overview of the information gathering and redactions process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, what role the Cabinet Secretary played in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police. The methodological note included in this publication provides a detailed overview of the information gathering process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish Lord Mandelson's completed conflicts of interest form and declarations in a future volume of the Humble Address return.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2026, to Question 8158, on Lord Mandelson and Morgan McSweeney, on what date Morgan McSweeney provided his electronic messages to the Cabinet Office.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government’s methodology in complying with the Humble Address was set out in the Volume II publication.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the vetting and due diligence exercise for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States considered (a) the Financial Times report entitled Links between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein detailed in JPMorgan report, published on 21 June 2023 and (b) the associated material on the Epstein-Mandelson relationship detailed in JP Morgan's Project Jeep released by the US courts, reference: Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (1:22-cv-10904), District Court, S.D. New York, published on 20 June 2023, Exhibit 4.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

It is long-standing practice that we do not comment on confidential details in individual vetting cases. We cannot publicly discuss the details of individual vetting cases, as doing so would compromise the trust, confidentiality and candour required for the national security vetting (NSV) process to retain its effectiveness as a safeguard. NSV, which is one of a suite of personnel security mechanisms, relies on individuals feeling comfortable sharing sensitive, private information with UKSV.

Regarding due diligence, I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 11 March and 1 June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Further to the answer of 30 June 2026, to Question HL1329, on Lord Mandelson, whether any former civil servant or former Minister who was requested to provide information declined to do so.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Government is confident that all relevant departments and individuals were engaged through a comprehensive commissioning process managed by the Cabinet Office. All departmental Permanent Secretaries were required to provide assurance that they had taken reasonable steps to identify, search for, and return all material within the scope of the motion. This process ensured that all relevant current and former Ministers, Special Advisers, and officials were contacted. Following this rigorous process and the publication of Volume II of the Government’s response, the Government considers that it has duly discharged its obligations in respect of the Humble Address. A small number of separate, relevant documents continue to be withheld exclusively at the request of the Metropolitan Police to avoid prejudicing their ongoing independent criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. The Government will publish these remaining documents once police authorities confirm it is appropriate to do so.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Oliver Robbins was given (a) a formal or (b) an informal steer from Downing Street (i) civil servants or (ii) special advisers to take steps to facilitate Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his statement on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion of 11 March 2026, Official Report, Column 360, which document had a limited redaction.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March. As set out in the content page of the 11 March publication, the first document was referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee for review, resulting in the agreement and application of specific, limited redactions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken to establish whether Lord Mandelson holds official information owned by the Crown which has not been copied or transferred to the official record.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 23rd June to question 8158 on the Lord Mandelson and Morgan McSweeney, if he can confirm whether these documents have been withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

On the 1st June, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister outlined the need not to prejudice the ongoing investigation which prevents the government from answering questions relating to specific documents. The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister outlined the broad categories the documents being withheld fall into: national security vetting material, conflict of interest process material and relevant internal correspondence with Peter Mandelson.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) Jonathan Powell and (b) Philip Barton made representations to the Prime Minister about Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livermore on 2 June (HL105), why Lord Mandelson’s meeting in 11 Downing Street on 18 November 2024 was not listed in the transparency data "HMT’s ministerial meetings, October to December 2024"; and whether a civil servant was present at that meeting.

Answered by Lord Livermore

At the time of the meeting Peter Mandelson was a Parliamentarian and it was therefore not included in the return in line with the guidance on publishing Ministers’ meetings.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 Downing Street disapplied the automatic deletion policy on emails, in light of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The methodological note included in this publication provides a detailed overview of the information gathering process.

The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there be a Volume 3 response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson once the Metropolitan Police’s investigations have concluded.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

In line with the Government's statement to the House on 1 June 2026, a small number of documents have been withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police to avoid prejudicing their ongoing investigation. The Government intends to publish this remaining material when it would no longer be prejudicial to do so. With the exception of these specific documents, the Government considers that it has fully discharged its duties under the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to initiate legal action to obtain official information owned by the Crown held by Lord Mandelson within scope of the Humble Address.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The search process followed by the officials leading the Humble Address response process is set out in the ‘Methodology’ section of the Volume II publication. The Government conducted multiple rounds of discovery from relevant ministers, special advisers, and officials (including those no longer in post) in line with the motion passed by the House.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on phone calls to Lord Mandelson’s phones which were connected through No10 switch.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2026 to Question 4176 on Monarchy: information, whether he has considered initiating legal action to obtain official information held by the Crown retained by Lord Mandelson and not disclosed for the purposes of the Government response to the Humble Address.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the correspondence of 30 October 2025 from the former Cabinet Secretary to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance on making Direct Ministerial Appointments that was used to guide the due diligence on Lord Mandelson published in Volume 1 of the Humble Address response.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the former Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 11 November 2025 to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, to which the guidance is annexed.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary made representations to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has had discussions with Global Counsel on responding to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

All government departments, ministers and relevant individuals were instructed to retain and provide to the Cabinet Office all information they hold that fell in scope of the Humble Address motion.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, With reference to the letter from The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP to the Prime Minister, published 10 June 2026, if he will name the Global Counsel employee recommended by Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

In line with Cabinet Office guidance on the publication of transparency data for Ministers' meetings, DBT publishes the name of the organisation, or organisations, represented and does not include personal data.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions if any (a) his department and (b) the Insolvency Service has had with Interpath as administrators to Global Counsel on the retention of emails relating to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

It would be inappropriate to provide detail or to comment on this given the live police investigation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the US Government has allowed the (a) UK Government and (b) Metropolitan Police to have access to the unredacted Mandelson-Epstein files.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

Decisions on access to documents held by the United States are a matter for the relevant authorities in that country. The Metropolitan Police operates independently of Government and any engagement between UK law enforcement and international counterparts would take place through the appropriate law enforcement channels.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livermore on 2 June (HL105), how many times Lord Mandelson was recorded as visiting 10 Downing Street between 4 July 2024 and being appointed Ambassador to the United States according to (1) the 10 Downing Street diary records, and (2) the Downing Street visitor notification system.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by the then Prime Minister on 7 February 2017, Official Report, PQ 62542. Following the practice followed by past administrations, the Government does not comment on security matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, introduction, paragraphs 9 to 13, if he will place in the Library a copy of the commission letters or emails sent out to relevant departments on (a) 23 February, (b) 24 February, (c) 6 March, (d) 13 March, (e) 27 March, (f) 21 April, (g) 8 May and (h) the initial communication after the Humble Address was passed.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question 5975.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any relevant individuals other than Lord Mandelson who were asked to provide information relating to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson have (1) actively refused to do so, or (2) not replied to the request.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government is confident that all relevant departments and individuals were engaged through a comprehensive commissioning process managed by the Cabinet Office. All departmental Permanent Secretaries were required to provide assurance that they had taken reasonable steps to identify, search for, and return all material within the scope of the motion. This process ensured that all relevant current and former Ministers, Special Advisers, and officials were contacted. Following this rigorous process and the publication of Volume II of the Government’s response, the Government considers that it has duly discharged its obligations in respect of the Humble Address. A small number of separate, relevant documents continue to be withheld exclusively at the request of the Metropolitan Police to avoid prejudicing their ongoing independent criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. The Government will publish these remaining documents once police authorities confirm it is appropriate to do so.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what role the Cabinet Office played in setting or overseeing the processes for security vetting and appointment of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States; and whether the Cabinet Office provided guidance on the use of informal communications such as WhatsApp by ministers and officials involved in that process.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Cabinet Office carried out a due diligence exercise prior to the announcement of Lord Mandelson’s role as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States as documented in the response to the Humble Address published on 11 March 2026.

The Cabinet Office has responsibility for security vetting policy and the UK Security Vetting (UKSV) organisation is based in the Cabinet Office. UKSV carried out the national security vetting for Lord Mandelson in January 2025, although the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sponsored this clearance and made the decision. The Cabinet Office officials involvement in the security vetting process is documented in the second Humble Address tranche published in the House on 1 June 2026.

Central guidance was issued in 2023 on Using Non-Corporate Communication Channels for Government Business, which is available on GOV.UK.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister's oral contribution during the debate on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address of 3 June 2026, Official Report column 1264, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Cabinet Secretary to all heads of department on the rules on record keeping.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Cabinet Secretary wrote to all Heads of Department on 1st June 2026 to remind them of their responsibilities to ensure that their departments maintain accurate official records, have systems in place to protect sensitive information, and preserve records of historical value to transfer them to The National Archives.

The letter referred to specific lessons learned from the Humble Address as follows:

• The importance of using the official Private Office Box process for recording advice, steers and decisions;

• The record keeping obligations that guide the use of Non-Corporate Communication Channels;

• The requirement to use appropriate official systems for higher classification material; and

• The importance of properly noting and separating records relating to political and official advice.

The letter is internal correspondence and there are no plans to place it in the House Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to recommence the review into Peter Mandelson’s contact with Jeffery Epstein after the Metropolitan Police have decided whether to initiate a prosecution.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to UIN 424.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 111183 on Prime Minister: Correspondence, what her timetable is for responding to the formal (a) stage 2 complaint and (b) stage 1 complaint contained in the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar's letter of 15 August 2025.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Hon Member's letter of 15 August 2025 was addressed to the Prime Minister and passed to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as the responsible department.

The then FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS), Sir Oliver Robbins, had previously confirmed in a letter dated 24 July 2025 - in response to a question from the Rt Hon Richard Holden MP - that Lord Mandelson was aware of his obligations under the Diplomatic Service Code and that he would continue to apply the Code in the context of Lord Mandelson's political appointment.

The former PUS was the final decision maker on the issue of applying the Civil Service code to Peter Mandelson, and his decision was enacted. There is no further stage or course for review regarding this complaint. In respect of the subsequent complaint, the former PUS has also left the Civil Service and there is no basis on which to take the matter further.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has taken steps to facilitate a formal submission to the United States Government to access (a) unredacted and (b) unpublished files relating to Jeffery Epstein and Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Natalie Fleet

Our thoughts remain with the victims of Epstein, who have lived with unimaginable trauma, and this government will do everything in its power to ensure accountability is delivered.

As a matter of long-standing government policy and practice, the Home Office can neither confirm nor deny whether a request for Mutual Legal Assistance has been made or received.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) Downing Street had correspondence with Global Counsel while Lord Mandelson was Ambassador to the US.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, in response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will investigate archived records to determine whether Lord Mandelson visited Jeffery Epstein's Zorro Ranch whilst Business Secretary.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Official records of overseas Ministerial travel for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are available on gov.uk.

It would be inappropriate to comment further given that there is a police investigation ongoing. The government remains committed to supporting the police and their investigation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ensure that the paused review into Lord Mandelson is recommenced once a decision on charging is made by the Metropolitan Police.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

As the government has set out previously, the review, which was being carried out by the former Cabinet Secretary, was stopped in light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and will provide any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any individual refused to provide information to the Government for the Humble Address.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, in response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Independent research into government transparency releases published by the Ethics and Integrity Commission on 12 May 2026, page 24, who the Global Counsel client was that Lord Vallance met on 11 September 2024.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

I refer the hon. Member to the Cabinet Office's Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part III, HC2-III, published on 1 June 2026, page 267, what the conclusion was of the leak inquiry on the trade negotiations.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, in response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police. Furthermore, in line with the policy of successive administrations, we do not routinely comment on the details of leak inquiries.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part III, HC2-III, published on 1 June 2026, p.42, whether a Red Box was commissioned for President Trump.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality, available on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minster had communications with Lord Mandelson that (a) have deleted due to disappearing messages and (b) were not in scope of the Humble Address.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement, release of information and the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister’s comments made directly on this matter on 1 June and in the general debate on 3 June, in response to the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any Ministers who had electronic communications with Lord Mandelson in scope of the Humble Address have deleted their communications due to auto-delete functionality.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June in response to the Humble Address, in particular the section entitled 'Government methodology in complying with the Humble Address' in the document laid before Parliament.

The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has received all WhatsApp messages and related electronic communications requested from Ministers, special advisers and officials about the vetting and appointment of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, in response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role her Department played in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States following advice from UK Security Vetting.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police. I also refer the Hon Member to the letter of 27 April from the Interim Permanent Under Secretary to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister had electronic communications with Lord Mandelson that are no longer held due to the disappearing messages function.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether 10 Downing Street holds mobile phone bill data or call log information on phone calls made on Morgan McSweeney’s official phone to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 29 April 2026, PQ 123637.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, With reference to Volume 2-III of the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, and further to Morgan McSweeney’s oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, what is the status of the publication of Morgan McSweeney’s electronic messages with Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, in response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, is she will publish arrangements and mitigations put in place in relation to Lord Mandelson's Global Counsel shareholdings when he was appointed Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 June in response to Question 6276.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether UK Security Vetting of Lord Mandelson considered his links to (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Israel.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 10 June in response to Question 6443.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister has electronic communications with Lord Mandelson that have been passed to the Metropolitan Police.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, in response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask His Majesty's Government what communications the Attorney General has had with Lord Mandelson since July 2024.

Answered by Lord Hermer

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a copy of the Downing Street and Cabinet Office press office lobby script and associated Q&A of 1 June 2026 for the release of Volume 2 of the return to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

As was the case under the previous administration, internal briefing products are not published.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times employees of Global Counsel visited the UK Embassy in Washington following the appointment of Lord Mandelson, where (a) Lord Mandelson and (b) his office as Ambassador was involved in facilitating the visit.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June, which sets out the information available in response to the Humble Address. Aside from those ministers and senior UK officials whose meetings with external organisations are declared in quarterly transparency returns, it has never been the practice under any government routinely to publish details of all other external meetings.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, pages 157-161, if he will ask the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists to review whether Global Counsel properly registered its direct contact with Ministers.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

Global Counsel was registered with the Office of the Register of Consultist Lobbyists, on its Register from 10 August 2016.

During the period referred to (at pages 157-161 of Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I), Global Counsel was registered as representing a number of clients on whose behalf it carried out activity that required registration with ORCL.

Details can be found on ORCL’s website here:

https://orcl.my.site.com/CLR_Public_Profile?id=0012400000jjVOzAAM

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson, whilst Ambassador, was given permission to undertake any private work or second employment.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

Civil servants are required to adhere to the Civil Service Code and the terms and conditions of their employment, including requirements relating to outside interests and external employment. Any such activity must be formally approved and must not conflict with an individual's official duties. In line with long-standing practice, the Government does not comment on the detail of individual personnel matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Lord Mandelson’s personal information, in as far as it relates to his appointment and vetting, is in scope of the Government response to the Humble Address; and what is the definition of personal information.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June and the debate of 3rd June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. As the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister confirmed to the House, the vetting summary and recommendation was shared with the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) as part of the response to the Humble Address.

The Volume II publication outlined the definition of personal information and the Government's approach to fulfilling the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, p.17, what is the “spad work” reference in the sentence “the spad work has shown just how slick this can be when needed”.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

In accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, Special advisers are not entitled to have access to sensitive, security or intelligence reports unless they have completed National Security Vetting to the appropriate level. A number of new Special Advisers were therefore vetted in July 2024 as priority cases. The ability to prioritise cases is a standard service from UK Security Vetting and involves the same checks and standards as all clearances.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department received communications from Ministers (a) regarding representations from Peter Mandelson about policy matters in their departments and (b) expressing concerns about such communications between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part III, HC2-III, published on 1 June 2026, whether he has assessed whether Lord Mandelson acted in accordance with the Civil Service and Diplomatic Service Code in political communications with Ministers.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The obligations and requirements of the Civil Service Code and Diplomatic Service Code are set out publicly. Peter Mandelson is no longer a civil servant.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, introduction, paragraphs 9 to 13, if he will publish a copy of the commission letters or emails sent out to relevant departments on (a) 23 February, (b) 24 February, (c) 6 March, (d) 13 March, (e) 27 March, (f) 21 April, (g) 8 May and (h) the initial communication after the Humble Address was passed.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The methodological note included in this publication provides a detailed overview of the commissioning process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department received communications from Ministers (a) regarding representations from Peter Mandelson about policy matters in their departments and (b) expressing concerns about such communications between 4 July 2024 and 10 February 2025.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Volumes 1 and 2 of the Government response to the Humble Address, if he will publish (a) internal notes and (b) readouts recorded on PMPost on the Prime Minister’s response to the submission on the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether information in scope of a Humble Address may be redacted from the Government response for reasons other than (a) national security, (b) international relations, (c) legal privilege or (d) the protection of personal data.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government’s methodology in complying with the Humble Address was set out in the Volume II publication.

For documents requiring redactions related to national security or international relations, the Intelligence and Security Committee provided assistance with the review process, for which the Government is grateful. Any other targeted redactions have been made in accordance with clear precedents established by previous governments in their responses to Humble Addresses.

Specifically, these targeted redactions are in order to protect:

a. Individuals’ email addresses and phone numbers;

b. The identities of junior civil servants;

c. Third party data - including the personal or commercially sensitive data of third parties not relevant to the motion; and

d. Legal professional privilege

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff are working within the Cabinet Office on the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Cabinet Secretary has asked the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, to lead on the response to the Humble Address. Staff from across the Cabinet Office are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary. Civil Servants remain bound by the Civil Service Code at all times, and by their departmental policies on managing conflicts of interest.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, page 87, whether Lord Mandelson’s security clearance was (a) lapsed, (b) suspended and/or (c) withdrawn.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

Peter Mandelson's security clearance formally ended on 16 October 2025 when his employment also formally ended. However, his Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office user accounts were suspended and his access to classified material resulting from that clearance ceased immediately on his withdrawal from the role of HM Ambassador to Washington DC on 11 September 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was asked to contribute to the Cabinet Office and Downing Street due diligence process on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, page 309 and 334, what meetings Lord Mandelson had with (a) Palantir and (b) Louise Mosley whilst Ambassador.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the response on 10 June to Question 5980. In addition, the Hon Member references the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, Page 334, which notes that Peter Mandelson attended the Hill and Valley Forum on 2 May 2025 and that Louis Mosley was also scheduled to attend that large event. Further to Lord Mandelson's letter to the Defence Secretary on 26 February 2025 on page 309, it is a matter of public record that Peter Mandelson accompanied the Prime Minister on his visit to Palantir's Washington DC office on 27 February 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether discussions on embassy staffing in relation to Matthew Doyle were deemed to be in scope of the Humble Address relating to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

As set out in the methodological note included in this publication, in order that the Government could respond swiftly and transparently to discharge the spirit and letter of the Humble Address, search parameters were included based on the limbs of the Humble Address motion. All relevant individuals were instructed to retain and provide to the Cabinet Office all information they held that falls in scope of the Humble Address motion.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered taking legal action against Lord Mandelson to reclaim his exit payment.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on this point by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister during his statement on 11 March.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps were taken to help mitigate potential conflicts of interest arising from Lord Mandelson's commercial interests before she took up the post of Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

As has been made clear in documents that were published in the Government's response to the Humble Address, on 1 June 2026, measures were put in place to manage Peter Mandelson's declared conflicts of interest. As was also made clear in the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on the same day, some documents relevant to the Humble Address have been withheld at the request of the police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, page 75, if he will list the foreign contacts mentioned by Lord Mandelson on the form.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

As the long-standing practice under successive governments, we cannot comment on the contents of any individual's vetting file, as to do so would risk undermining the integrity and effectiveness of the entire vetting system.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, page 224 and 225, whether the tech dinner with Matthew Doyle look place on that date (Friday 21 February 2025), whether Lord Mandelson hosted the dinner, and whether representatives of (a) Global Counsel and (b) Palantir attended.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June, which sets out the information available in response to the Humble Address. Aside from those ministers and senior UK officials whose meetings with external organisations are declared in quarterly transparency returns, it has never been the practice under any government routinely to publish details of all other external meetings.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether communications held by the No10 Political Office staff were deemed to be in scope of the Humble Address relating to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

As set out in the methodological note included in this publication, in order that the Government could respond swiftly and transparently to discharge the spirit and letter of the Humble Address, search parameters were included based on the limbs of the Humble Address motion. All relevant individuals were instructed to retain and provide to the Cabinet Office all information they held that falls in scope of the Humble Address motion.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2026 to Question 128726 on Lord Mandelson, who the Government Security Group review will report to; what its terms of reference are; and whether a report will be laid before Parliament.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The review conducted by the Government Security Group into whether any security concerns were raised during Peter Mandelson’s tenure as HMA Washington will be an internal review only. This is to enable thorough examination of any national security issues. As it is an internal review, the Terms of Reference will not be published. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary will receive the final report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part III, HC2-III, published on 1 June 2026, p.103, through what medium did Lord Mandelson respond to the questions from Oliver Robbins set out in the email of 9 September 2025, 7.11pm.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address, and the answers given by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in response to questions during the General Debate on 3 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police. As the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said on 3 June, the Metropolitan Police have permitted the Government to confirm the categories of documents that they are holding, but nothing further. When the Metropolitan Police have concluded their investigation, this material will be published.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II, 1 June 2026, whether information relating to Palantir was redacted on commercial confidential terms.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to introduction paragraph 22 of Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, whether any other individuals who had departed Crown service declined to provide information to the Government.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

The Cabinet Office requested information from across government on several occasions in relation to the Humble Address. All relevant individuals were instructed to retain and provide to the Cabinet Office all information they held that falls in scope of the Humble Address motion.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 329 of Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part II, HC2-II, published on 1 June 2026, whether the email from Peter Mandelson to Morgan McSweeney sent on 18 June 2025 at 08.18 BST was sent (a) to and (b) from a personal email address.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. Limited redactions were made to protect personal information, including email addresses.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the answer of 10 April 2026 to Question 113703 on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson’s application to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and response in relation to Global Counsel is held by his Department.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Cabinet Office does not hold this information. The application and subsequent advice dates back to sixteen years ago, which is longer than the retention period for such documents as set out in the Privacy Notice for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-committee-on-business-appointments-acoba-privacy-notice

ACOBA’s decision, set out in the relevant Annual Report will be retained indefinitely and is available on GOV.UK at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7d965340f0b65084e76188/Twelfth_Annual_Report_2010-2011.pdf

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II Part I, HC2-I, published on 1 June 2026, pages 157-161, whether a Minister attended the Clean Energy Mission roundtable that was proposed by Global Counsel.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No DBT minister attended. All external engagements undertaken by ministers with businesses are recorded on quarterly ministerial transparency returns, which are published on gov.uk

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister has spoken to Lord Mandelson in an official capacity since his dismissal as US Ambassador.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any staff previously employed by Labour Together are involved in the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Chris Ward

No. All individuals within the Cabinet Office’s Humble Address response team are existing Civil Servants, some of whom have been loaned to the Cabinet Office by other departments. Civil Servants remain bound by the Civil Service Code at all times, and by their departmental policies on managing conflicts of interest.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume II, published 1 June 2026, what is the aggregate number of separate items of documentation that have been held back from publication due to the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Found: Lord Mandelson and ministers in the six months prior to his appointment, all information on Lord Mandelson

Found: of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: Lord Mandelson and ministers in the six months prior to his appointment, all information on Lord Mandelson

Found: of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson

Found: personally used non-corporate communication channels for substantive exchanges with Lord Mandelson

Found: Lord Mandelson communications: FOI release

Found: This includes a note of a call the First Minister had with Lord Mandelson on 27 July 2025.

Found: FOI 202600505204 ANNEX FOR RELEASE First Minister Call with Lord Mandelson 27 July 2025

Found: evaluations of the trip, including outcomes from meetings with US officials, President Trump, and Lord Mandelson

Found: In any case, Lord Mandelson would prefer the breakfast meeting with FM be kept to him, his embassy trade

Found: This includes briefing for the First Minister’s introductory call with Lord Mandelson prior to his appointment

Found: FOI 202600505175 ANNEX FOR RELEASE Briefing for Introductory Meeting with Lord Mandelson - 27 January

Found: Official Sensitive – Meeting held in confidence NOTE OF FM MEETING WITH LORD MANDELSON, UK AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE

Found: Lord Mandelson spoke about the need for the UK to work closely with the EU to address foreign and security

Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will pass a note of the salient points of any substantive discussions that arose during the First Minister’s meeting with the President of the United States of America and the US Secretary of State on 9 September 2025 to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in accordance with Section 11.15 of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Answered by Robertson, Angus - Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Former UK Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson, was present during the First Minister’s discussions with the President and was fully briefed on the First Minister’s objectives for the meeting ahead of their visit to the White House.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it engaged with officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ahead of the First Minister’s meeting with the President of the United States of America and the US Secretary of State on 9 September 2025.

Answered by Robertson, Angus - Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Yes, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office were engaged about the First Minister’s meeting with the President of the United States and fully supported the First Minister’s engagement with the President and the US Government on whisky tariffs. The First Minister was hosted at the British Ambassador’s residence in Washington D.C and was accompanied by the former UK Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson, during his meeting with the President in the Oval Office.

Found: N281 FW: RESTRICTED - UK CABINET MINISTERS' VISITS 16 July 2009 Exchanges regarding visit by Lord Mandelson