Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department makes an assessment of whether potential (a) ambassadors and (b) high commissioners have had a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before they are recommended for appointment.

All those appointed to Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office roles undergo pre-employment checks and National Security Vetting. All Ambassador and High Commissioner roles require Developed Vetting (DV) level National Security clearance. DV is the most detailed and comprehensive form of security clearance. The purpose of these personnel security controls is to ensure that a person's character and personal circumstances are such that they can be trusted to work in a position which may involve access to sensitive assets or sensitive sites. DV clearance is required before an Ambassador or High Commissioner take up their appointment and is regularly reviewed.