Security Vetting

Dave Doogan 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

That is included in the review that I have set up, and as soon as I have the findings I will share them with the House.

Dave Doogan Portrait Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) (SNP)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

This saga is drawing to a close, and it will come to a conclusion with the Prime Minister’s resignation, whether he can accept that or not. What I cannot accept is the “ask me no secrets and I’ll tell you no lies” regime that he expects us to believe prevailed at the very top of Government between officials and not just Ministers but the Prime Minister. He has talked a lot today about what he did not know and what he was not told. Well, he knew that Mandelson had a serious human frailty for other people’s wealth. We knew that Mandelson was involved with the Russians. We knew that Mandelson was sacked twice as a Government Minister. Can the Prime Minister explain what Mandelson’s actual qualities were that he was pursuing for the role as US ambassador, and what steps he has taken to contain the serious and measurable breach in national security that his appointment of Peter Mandelson facilitated?

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

I have made it clear that it was an error to appoint Peter Mandelson. There is a review going on into any security issues that may arise.