Top Foreign Office official ‘felt pressure’ for ‘rapid outcome’ on Mandelson vetting

A senior Foreign Office security official, Ian Collard, informed MPs that he felt pressured to expedite the vetting process for Peter Mandelson. Collard stated that he had received contacts from Downing Street, which he perceived as pressure for a swift resolution. He also testified that he had not reviewed the vetting agency's assessment summary before providing an oral briefing to Olly Robbins, the former permanent secretary. Instead, Collard relied on an oral briefing from another member of the personnel security team.

This testimony raises questions about the integrity and impartiality of the vetting process for sensitive government positions.