"McSweeney has already said he takes full responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson but that is a question of judgment, not process."
"Robbins said, however, there was a position taken from the Cabinet Office that, as Mandelson was a peer and a privy counsellor, there was no need."
"While I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled."
"At prime minister's questions, Starmer sought to use Robbins's testimony to dismiss claims Downing Street had put pressure on the FCDO."
Opposition MPs are questioning Starmer's claim that full due process was followed in Mandelson's appointment. Key officials, Barton and McSweeney, are positioned to comment on this. McSweeney accepted responsibility for advising Starmer but emphasized it was a judgment issue. Robbins noted that Barton insisted Mandelson undergo the vetting process, which is typically required for FCDO staff. However, the Cabinet Office argued that Mandelson, being a peer and privy counsellor, did not need vetting. McSweeney called for a fundamental overhaul of the vetting process after his resignation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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