UPDATE: The UK government has confirmed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will not have the authority to override the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) regarding the release of documents linked to Lord Peter Mandelson‘s appointment as ambassador to Washington. This urgent announcement follows a critical meeting held on Thursday, where the ISC received written assurances that they alone will determine which papers are made public.
This directive is particularly significant in light of ongoing scrutiny surrounding Mandelson’s vetting process for his 2024 appointment, especially concerning his connections to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The ISC stated that while some documents may be withheld for reasons of national security, the ultimate decision on any redactions will be in their hands, not the government’s.
In a statement following their meeting with Cabinet Office officials, the ISC emphasized: “The Prime Minister – or anyone else in Government – will not be able to overrule the Committee’s decision to publish material that has been referred to it.” The committee is currently awaiting details on when the first batch of documents will be received, including the method of transfer and the total number of documents involved.
Authorities revealed that a framework has been established with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that released documents do not interfere with ongoing investigations. This comes after Lord Mandelson was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with allegations that he disclosed sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure as business secretary. He has been granted bail until May.
The ISC also indicated that the government has clarified which files fall “within scope” of the Conservative-led Commons motion that demands their release. The Cabinet Office is actively compiling relevant materials from across various government departments. The committee expressed hope that some documents would be available for publication shortly.
A government spokesperson added: “We are proceeding at pace to publish the first tranche of documents in early March. We are working closely with the ISC and have made progress on a number of their requests. The Government is very grateful to the committee for their work and commits to full engagement with them to ensure these processes are timely and effective.”
As this situation unfolds, the implications for government transparency and accountability are profound. Stakeholders and the public are eagerly awaiting the ISC’s next steps and the potential fallout from the revelations contained within these documents. Stay tuned for live updates as this story develops.
