Barton at 9am, McSweeney at 11am. A disastrous double bill for Starmer. Grab the popcorn…
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Barton says the Cabinet Office questioned the need for any more vetting on Mandelson.
On Mandelson’s appointment. “At no point did anyone consult me, ask me. I was presented with a decision and told to get on with it. There was no space for dialogue.“
Says he can’t recall Morgan McSweeney swearing at him.
“I was not aware of any pressure on the substance of the DV case – was there pressure? Absolutely … the pressure to get it done, the DV clearance, by a particular time scale.”
Barton asked if there was a contingency plan in place for if Mandelson failed security vetting: “No.“
Read the letter from Ian Collard – FCDO Chief Property & Security Officer – below:
