Security Vetting Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Security Vetting

Chris Law Excerpts
Monday 20th April 2026

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I do not know the precise date, but I will endeavour to find out.

Chris Law Portrait Chris Law (Dundee Central) (SNP)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Given that it is widely known that Peter Mandelson maintained a friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, had close business links in both China and Russia, and was sacked from two Government posts, what I really want to ask the Prime Minister is this: what are the unique and defining human qualities of the man I have just described that so attracted the Prime Minister to the idea that he should be politically appointed as ambassador to the US, and why is he still defending him behind process, instead of calling out what is wrong, taking responsibility and resigning?

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am not defending him behind process. I am setting out the process to the House.