Peter Mandelson was offered a highly classified briefing from the Foreign Office as US ambassador before he finished the formal vetting process, newly released documents reveal. The initial tranche disclosed by the Cabinet Office covers the vetting of Mandelson as a potential US ambassador as well as discussions around his dismissal in autumn last year. The documents suggest that the FCDO may have begun to brief Mandelson on classified information after his appointment – but before he was formally vetted at the highest levels. The offer of a briefing came just over a fortnight after Mandelson’s appointment had been announced on 20 December 2024. Mandelson was asked then to apply for an even higher level of vetting – Strap clearance – which was not initiated until 4 February.

Source: The Guardian March 12, 2026 00:58 UTC