Security Vetting

Lord Roe of West Wickham Excerpts

Monday 20th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

My Lords, there have been times when the Prime Minister has said that he has had to act quickly, as when he sacked Peter Mandelson. I do not think any Member of this House raised due process when he was called and told that he would lose his position. I will look further into this, but I expect the Prime Minister would have been given advice on how to proceed. It is a serious matter when a Prime Minister and a Foreign Secretary say they do not have confidence in an official, but I expect due procedure to be followed as this goes forward.

[Lord Roe of West Wickham (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Leader of the House for her clarity and for repeating the Statement, as others have echoed. My question is about risk in the wider system. I speak as someone who has been through this system, understands how intensive the questioning was, and is aware that thousands and thousands of these clearances are processed every year for the security of the nation. Will the scope of the review include whether there have been other breaches or lapses in judgment in questions of clearance at the most senior level because of the volume of people who pass through the system, and where there might be other risks?

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend and I think we are all relieved to know that he has been through the process. It is a very intrusive and robust process, which is why it is right that the details are not conveyed to anybody outside those undertaking it. However, the results and conclusions should be. My understanding is that Sir Adrian Fulford’s investigation will look at the process in the round. My noble friend makes an important point, because there are many positions that need this degree of developed vetting. It is robust and intrusive, but if information is not passed on in a timely and accurate way then the value of that process is not fair, including on those who go through it. I will double-check this, but my understanding is that it will be a full investigation into whether the process is fit for purpose or whether changes need to be made.