Parliament watchdog the Intelligence and Security Committee – which is ploughing through thousands of documents about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to the US – has released a blistering statement
The Government has been accused of withholding Peter Mandelson’s vetting file without authority by Parliament’s intelligence watchdog.
In a blistering statement on Friday, the Intelligence and Security Committee – which is ploughing through thousands of documents about Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to the US – said the file is a “prime example” of evidence being held back.
Members also voiced alarm over the amount of Government business being carried out on WhatsApp – branding this “extraordinary”. The committee, headed by Labour peer Lord Beamish, found there was an “unacceptable” lack of records after digging into the documents.
It also raised concerns over the security of Westminster IT systems – saying failure to follow processes was “appalling”. In a statement, the committee said: “The Committee found it extraordinary to see how much Government business appears to be being conducted over unofficial systems. Lengthy Whatsapp conversations between senior officials and ministers appear now to be the format by which Government policy is formulated.
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“Government systems exist for a reason and should be the proper forum for the conduct of Government business. The Committee has raised this issue before – with the last Government – and it is disappointing to see not only that it continues, but the extent to which it has spread.”
The committee, which is overseeing the release of the Mandelson files, complained there is no full audit trail on agendas, minutes and records of conversation. “This is unacceptable in Government,” it said.
The Government has agreed to release documents about Mandelson’s appointment to the committee – except if it impacts national security. But the committee wrote: “The Committee has been told that certain documents are being withheld from the process. The prime example is a vetting file held by UK Security Vetting.”
It said the Government had redacted documents “far too broadly”. In February a Commons motion was passed requiring documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment to be released to Parliament.
The disgraced peer – who is under police investigation over allegations of misconduct in public office – was sacked from the plum job in Washington in September last year over his links with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
It is alleged that he passed on market-sensitive government information to the financier when he was a member of the Cabinet after the 2008 market crash.
It later emerged that UK Security Vetting (UKSV) had recommended against giving him clearance, but this was overruled in the Foreign Office without the PM’s knowledge.
The committee, which is overseeing the release of documents, said the Government has no authority to withhold files, even if it thinks it has good reason to do so. The statement continued: “The Committee has therefore advised Government that we believe it must return to Parliament to seek Parliament’s agreement to withhold any documents.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the refusal to release Lord Mandelson’s vetting file “reeks”, adding: “What could be worse than what we’ve already seen? The Prime Minister must make use of what could be his last days in office to personally intervene and make sure we get the truth.”
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The Government takes its obligations to Parliament and the protection of our national security extremely seriously. We have been clear that the public deserve transparency and we are committed to complying with the Humble Address in full.
“Redactions will only be made where necessary and in a way which is transparent to the House. We are working to publish as much material as we can, as soon as possible.”
