Tag

Security Vetting

All articles tagged with #security vetting

politics7 days ago•3 min saved

Ex-CIA Officer Allegedly Hoarded $40 Million in Gold at Home

A former CIA senior officer with top-secret clearance is charged with criminal theft of public money after authorities say he secretly stored about 300 gold bars worth over $40 million at his home and lied about his background for years. The FBI seized the gold, cash, and watches during a raid, and the case raises questions about the effectiveness of the government's continuous vetting and background-check programs for intelligence personnel.

via NBC News|

#cia #criminal-charges #fbi

politics1 month ago•7 min saved

UK Under Pressure to Fast-Track Mandelson Vetting, Robbins Testifies

Olly Robbins told Parliament there was intense pressure from No. 10 and Prime Minister Starmer’s office to secure rapid security clearance for Peter Mandelson and install him as ambassador to Washington, despite vetting concerns that he described as a “borderline case.” Robbins argued sharing those concerns would undermine public trust in the security system, and said the focus was on getting Mandelson into the post quickly. The episode compounds the Mandelson-Epstein controversy and Starmer’s political challenges, including Robbins’ firing and ongoing scrutiny over judgments and leaks surrounding the vetting process.

via The New York Times|

#epstein #keir-starmer #mandelson

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

Starmer Concedes Mandelson Hire Was a Mistake, Rejects Resignation Calls

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington was a mistake but rejected calls for him to resign, after it emerged security officials were overruled and Mandelson had known ties to Jeffrey Epstein; Starmer blames the Foreign Office for withholding information, as the scandal widens ahead of local elections.

via Al Jazeera|

#epstein #mandelson #politics

politics1 month ago•174 min saved

Starmer Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Epstein-Linked US Ambassador Pick

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer heads into a crucial week as new disclosures allege Peter Mandelson failed security vetting for his 2025 appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, with officials reportedly overriding reservations after Starmer had already announced the appointment. Starmer says he was unaware of the vetting failure; Downing Street says the Foreign Office concealed nothing from him, while Mandelson is under investigation for alleged leaks to Jeffrey Epstein and Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top civil servant, was dismissed as he prepares to testify to Parliament. The saga unfolds ahead of local elections and amid questions of leadership and judgment from Starmer’s government, fueling opposition calls for accountability and potential internal challenges.

via CNN|

#epstein #keir-starmer #peter-mandelson

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

Starmer Faces Fresh Pressure Over Mandelson Vetting Controversy

Keir Starmer says he was not informed that Mandelson failed security vetting before becoming Britain’s envoy to Washington, prompting renewed calls for his resignation as Mandelson’s Epstein ties come under scrutiny and a police probe begins; Starmer pledges to lay out all relevant facts to Parliament, while the government faces questions about the vetting process and due process.

via Al Jazeera|

#epstein #keir-starmer #peter-mandelson

politics1 month ago•5 min saved

UK government grilled over Mandelson security-vetting mishap

The government faces scrutiny after Lord Mandelson failed developed vetting for his role as ambassador to the US, with MPs pressing for details on when the PM knew, who approved the clearance, and why the decision was not shared earlier. Officials say vetting was independent and recommended against clearance, but the final call and timing remain unclear, raising questions about accountability and the vetting process.

via BBC|

#lord-mandelson #no-10-downing-street #politics

politics1 month ago•174 min saved

Starmer unaware Mandelson vetting was overruled for US envoy post

Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the United States, failed his security vetting before taking the post, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer was unaware officials had overruled the recommendation. Mandelson faces a police probe over alleged leaks to Jeffrey Epstein, intensifying scrutiny of Starmer’s appointment. The disclosure has sparked calls for accountability, a review of vetting procedures, and potential resignations or departures, including Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top official, who may leave amid the row.

via CNN|

#epstein #keir-starmer #mandelson

politics1 month ago•5 min saved

UK’s top Foreign Office chief exits amid Mandelson vetting controversy

Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s permanent secretary, is leaving after the department overruled the vetting agency to allow Lord Mandelson to take up the US ambassador post; Mandelson was later dismissed over Epstein ties, prompting renewed questions about the prime minister’s judgement and triggering political fallout and calls for accountability.

via BBC|

#foreign-office #olly-robbins #peter-mandelson