Government defends Mandelson file redactions amid parliamentary row

Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, has firmly defended the government’s decision to withhold significant portions of the Peter Mandelson appointment files from the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Jones argued that the redactions were necessary to protect national security and the privacy of junior officials, rejecting the committee’s accusation that ministers were acting against parliamentary wishes.

The dispute centres on the release of documents related to Mandelson’s controversial appointment as Washington ambassador. The ISC published a statement on Friday accusing the government of redacting and withholding documents contrary to the terms agreed upon by MPs earlier this year. The committee highlighted that ministers had withheld Mandelson’s entire vetting file, including his interview responses, and removed personal contact details such as email addresses and phone numbers.

Jones told MPs that there was no public interest in publishing the names or contact details of junior officials. He argued that releasing raw vetting data, which might include financial details or information about personal relationships, would compromise the integrity of future security investigations. "If we did so, people would feel unable to answer those questions honestly and frankly in any UK security vetting investigation in the future, which would undermine the very basis of our national security system," he said.

The government had previously agreed under pressure to allow the ISC to agree on redactions for national security and international relations. However, the committee’s chair, Kevan Jones, stated that the issue was not about accessing Mandelson’s personal interview responses, but about transparency regarding what had been redacted and why. Conservative MP Jeremy Wright expressed sympathy for the redactions but rejected the government’s right to unilaterally alter the terms of the parliamentary vote.

Other MPs were more critical of the government’s approach. Emily Thornberry, Labour’s foreign affairs select committee chair, argued that the ISC should be allowed to view the vetting file to understand how mitigations were applied. Shadow minister Neil O’Brien described the withholding of documents from the committee as an "extremely serious matter" that undermined the house’s agreement.

Jones confirmed that the next tranche of documents, understood to run to thousands of pages, would be released in June. However, he refused to confirm whether this release would precede the Makerfield byelection, which is likely to be held on 18 June. The delay has intensified scrutiny on the government’s handling of the scandal, which has continued to dog the administration since the appointment was announced.