
A senior civil servant will be grilled about Lord Peter Mandelson’s vetting process as Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting criticism from within his own party over the scandal. Cat Little, the most senior Cabinet Office official, is set to appear before the same group of MPs who quizzed Sir Olly Robbins earlier this week.
Ms Little last week told the Prime Minister that Lord Mandelson had been granted high-level security clearance despite vetting officials recommending against it. Ms Little had known about sensitive information linked to Lord Mandelson’s vetting since March. Downing Street previously said there is “absolutely no suggestion” that Ms Little’s position as Cabinet Office permanent secretary is in question.
Cabinet divisions have emerged over Sir Keir’s handling of the process, including his decision to sack Foreign Office chief Sir Olly for failing to inform him of the details of the vetting decision, according to multiple reports.
FOLLOW OUR BLOG FOR THE LATEST