Collard Skips Testimony, Starmer's Staff Steps Up

0:00On April 25, a major player in the Lord Mandelson vetting scandal won't show up in person for the Foreign Affairs Committee. Ian Collard, the civil servant who led the Foreign Office Security Team, got requested to testify next week, but the department turned it down. He'll only submit written answers, as confirmed by committee chair Dame Emily Thorneberry. This ties back to Sir Oliver Robbins getting sacked last week. He approved Mandelson's clearance for the U.S. Ambassador role against advice, and didn't loop in number 10. The government claims U.K.S.V. explicitly recommended denial, but Robbins says he only heard a verbal update, calling it borderline. Reactions have been sharp, with Robbins blasting number 10 for a dismissive vibe, which they deny. The sacking has sparked questions about whether Robbins got the full picture, potentially validating Prime Minister Kier's Starmer's move or not. Now retired judge, Sir Adrian Fulford, is reviewing if Collard's briefing matched the vetting team's real stance. Thorneberry sent specific questions for Collard, like how often his team but U.K.S.V. reports.

1:03Meanwhile, Kier's Starmer's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, steps up to testify Tuesday as the probe digs deeper into this messy clearance process.