Vetting warnings over China, Russia and Israel ties ignored before Mandelson US appointment

The UK’s vetting agency recommended denying security clearance to Peter Mandelson shortly before his appointment as ambassador to the United States, citing high concerns regarding his associations with senior figures in China, Russia and Israel, according to sources familiar with the matter.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) raised specific issues regarding Mandelson’s links to Lan Fo’an, China’s finance minister; Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch; and Tamir Hayman, a former Israeli military intelligence general. The agency also flagged a £1 million loan used to invest in Moon Active, an Israeli mobile game company, and noted a close relationship with an unnamed British individual that could be compromising.

Despite the UKSV recommendation to deny clearance, Olly Robbins, the then Foreign Office permanent secretary, granted Mandelson developed vetting clearance in January 2025. Robbins has since stated that mitigations were put in place to manage the risks, though he declined to specify the nature of these measures when questioned by the foreign affairs select committee.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has accused the government of withholding vetting documents and applying redactions far too broadly for reasons unrelated to national security, such as commercial sensitivity. Jeremy Wright, the committee’s deputy chair, warned that ministers were withholding some documents in their entirety, potentially challenging parliamentary sovereignty.

Mandelson was sacked in September 2025 following revelations of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The intelligence and security committee has accused the government of withholding vetting documents and applying excessive redactions, with a second tranche of files expected in June.