World · 27 May 2026
Vetting agency wanted Mandelson denied clearance
Christian Lambiotte via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Peter Mandelson reportedly faced opposition from the UK’s vetting agency over security clearance linked to his ambassadorial role. During January 2025, the British Security Vetting agency communicated its apprehension, focusing mainly on his associations with prominent people from China, Russia, and Israel. The specific instances brought forward involved China's finance minister Lan Fo’an; Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska; and a reported £1 million credit arrangement tied to an Israeli start-up.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs