A former MI6 chief has stated it would have been “totally impossible” for the Foreign Office to implement measures managing Peter Mandelson’s ties to senior figures in China, Russia and Israel during his time as UK ambassador to the US. On Wednesday, the Guardian reported concerns that led security officials to recommend denying Mandelson developed vetting clearance in early 2025. Olly Robbins, the former permanent secretary who approved the clearance, said his decision relied on “management actions” to address risks flagged by officials. However, Richard Dearlove, who led MI6 from 1999 to 2004, said he could not see how such steps would function. “The whole thing is completely extraordinary,” he said. “What mitigations could you put in place? The only mitigations I can think of is that certain papers that are circulated in the Washington embassy cannot be viewed by the ambassador. That would be totally impossible.” Dearlove added that, as MI6 head, he would have raised such a warning with the foreign secretary or prime minister. Sources told the Guardian that Mandelson’s connections to China’s finance minister Lan Fo’an, sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and former Israeli military intelligence general Tamir Hayman were highlighted by the vetting agency. UKSV also noted a close relationship with a fourth British individual that could be compromising and flagged a £1m loan Mandelson received for an Israeli startup. UKSV advised against clearance, but the Foreign Office granted it within hours. Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said the reports made her “very angry” and questioned Robbins’ earlier evidence describing the case as “borderline”. Next month the government is expected to release documents ordered by parliament. Concerns remain that some files may be withheld or heavily redacted. The intelligence and security committee has accused the government of overly broad redactions. MPs from several parties criticised the process, with some alleging a cover-up. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called the handling a disgrace, while shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel described the appointment as reckless. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said it remained committed to full compliance with the parliamentary order.
