“It shows appalling judgment from Starmer. But what actual damage did it do?”
Let’s consider that point since it was asked.
Mandelson failed the developed vetting process. It is worth emphasising that point. The process didn’t merely ask a few questions or raise one or two minor concerns. He was failed.
Given my experience of this process, I can say that to completely fail means the security services must have had exceptionally serious concerns about Mandelson’s background, personal life, finances and his business dealings. In other words, they considered him to be a security danger and at risk of being blackmailed by enemies of the British state.
Yet Starmer went ahead and appointed Mandelson to the most senior position in the diplomatic service!
That alone would be gross misconduct and a resignation offence. The fact he also lied, misled the House and then tried to cover it up adds further gross misconduct into the mix.
No matter how anyone tries to spin it, Starmer’s conduct has been arrogant and totally unacceptable.
And it is made worse by the fact that when he was Leader of the Opposition, like so many people on his side, he cloaked himself in self righteousness, presenting himself as far more intelligent and morally superior than his opponents. He often called for resignations on matters far minor than what he has done. He promised he would clean up politics but has done precisely the opposite.
As one writer summed it up today:
“Let’s consider the enormity of what has occurred. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom attempted to leverage a man who was a major national security risk into the most sensitive diplomatic posting in the West. He did so despite the objections of the security services. He overrode the tried and trusted processes for such an appointment. He lied to Parliament about it. And then, when ordered to release the documents that would have exposed his lies, he tried to cover them up.”
That is why he should resign.