Naming Mandelson as ambassador before vetting was mistake, minister says

Douglas Alexander says lessons need to be learned but he expects Keir Starmer will continue as PM

It was a mistake to announce Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US before he was security vetted for the role, one of Keir Starmer’s senior ministers has said before the prime minister’s statement to MPs about the scandal.

With Starmer aiming to explain to the Commons on Monday afternoon why he did not know the Foreign Office had overruled a decision to refuse Mandelson vetting, some senior government figures believe the coming week could decide whether or not he remains in No 10.

Douglas Alexander, the Scotland secretary, sent out by Downing Street on the Monday morning broadcast round, said when asked if Starmer would lead Labour into the next election: “I expect so.”

He added: “Yes, I think he will. There are no certainties. But of course I think he will lead, and I think he should.”