Mandelson was offered highly classified briefing before he finished vetting process

"We'll brief you further in person from 6 January onwards, including at higher tiers. An email does not formally confirm Mandelson's developed vetting clearance until 30 January 2025, his formal offer of employment. Mandelson was asked then to apply for an even higher level of vetting Strap clearance which was not initiated until 4 February."

"The FCDO's own security guidelines outlined in the formal appointment letter attached to that same email stated: If Strap clearance is required you should submit a new Strap application form for your new position at least three months before you are due to start at post."

"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."

Peter Mandelson was offered highly classified briefings by the Foreign Office before completing formal security vetting as US ambassador. Documents reveal that the FCDO began briefing Mandelson on classified information after his appointment in December 2024 but before formal vetting clearance was granted in January 2025. The offer of higher-tier briefings came before Strap clearance was initiated in February, violating the FCDO's own security guidelines requiring three months advance notice. Mandelson was dismissed in September after his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public. He initially requested over £500,000 severance but ultimately accepted £75,000.

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