McSweeney insists Mandelson had no involvement in the September 2025 reshuffle decisions, despite his best efforts:
“He texted me his thoughts… I did not respond to any of Mandelson’s texts. The text messages set out ideas of people that he thought should be in particular positions. None of his suggestions actually came out to be the case so his ideas were not followed up.”
MsSweeney also reveals the messages between him and Peter Mandelson on that day will be released in the second batch of the Humble Address documents…
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“The appointment of Mandelson as ambassador was a serious error of judgment. I advised the Prime Minister in support of that appointment and I was wrong to do so…
“I resigned because I believe responsibility should rest with those who make serious mistakes. Accountability in public life cannot apply only when it is convenient. The Prime Minister relied on my advice and I got it wrong. It is also important, however, to distinguish between what I did do and what I did not do.
“What I did do was make a recommendation based on my judgment that Mandelson’s experience, relationships and political skills could serve the national interest in Washington at an important moment. That judgment was a mistake. What I did not do was oversee national security vetting, ask officials to ignore procedures, request that steps should be skipped or communicate, implicitly or explicitly, that checks should be cleared at all costs. I would never have considered that acceptable.”
Rachel Reeves – who is fighting to keep her job post-May elections – is now plotting a one-year rent freeze on private sector rented homes excluding new builds. Part of a “cost of living package” which will obviously only raise rents…
Labour has constantly said it would not impose rent controls, be they stabilisation or any kind of freeze:
Reeves has U-turned as the ‘soft-left’ backbenchers demand more intervention from the government. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes…
Read Guido’s rolling live blog of Barton’s evidence by clicking here…
Barton at 9am, McSweeney at 11am. A disastrous double bill for Starmer. Grab the popcorn…
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Read the letter from Ian Collard – FCDO Chief Property & Security Officer – below:
Continue reading “LIVE: Ex-FCDO Chief Sir Philip Barton Gives Evidence on Mandelson Vetting Farce”
The Education Secretary has said that Andy Burnham would have “a lot to offer” in the House of Commons. Asked on Sky News if he should become an MP, Bridget Phillipson said:
“I think that is up to Andy, course he would have a lot to offer. He’s doing a great job as Mayor of Manchester.”
Phillipson added: “We do have a process for for making sure that we don’t see other other vacancies arise, and of course we we did just have a general election a couple years ago.” Starmer’s aides have briefed that they will prevent another Burnham attempt to get to the Commons. The situation may be different after the NEC elections shortly…
On the issue of whether Starmer mislead the Commons, Phillipson told the Today Programme: “Is there pressure in government to make sure things are done in a timely way? Of course.” Not quite “no pressure whatsoever” as Starmer told parliament, is it…
Red Wall Labour backbencher Jonathan Brash told GB News that Starmer should resign:
“I’m completely fed up about it, and I think it’s got to the point now where I genuinely think that, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it’s not a case of if, it’s when.”