All articles tagged with #vetting
New government files released in response to a Liberal Democrat humble address show Queen Elizabeth II was keen for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to take the trade envoy role in 2001, that he preferred 'sophisticated' countries, and that officials found no evidence of a formal vetting process; the documents also outline his tenure and later controversies, with Andrew stepping down in 2011.
Britain acknowledged there was no formal due diligence before appointing Prince Andrew as a trade envoy in 2021, with documents indicating ministerial approval and a Royal Family emphasis on trade; the 17-page dossier is partially redacted and describes his preferred activities, while his royal status later faced revocation amid Epstein-related scrutiny.
Former foreign ministry official Olly Robbins testifies that Starmer's office pressured officials to fast-track Peter Mandelson's appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, intensifying a months-long row over the choice. Starmer says he blamed officials for not flagging vetting concerns, while Robbins describes constant pressure and Downing Street involvement, raising new questions ahead of local elections.
The Guardian revealed that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting for a US ambassador post, but the Foreign Office overruled the decision to proceed. Prime Minister Starmer says he was unaware of the vetting concerns, while opposition papers accuse him of misleading Parliament, sparking a fresh front-page crisis and renewed calls for accountability.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it is staggering that he and other ministers were not told that Lord Mandelson failed initial security vetting for his US ambassador post, after a vetting 'no' was overruled by the Foreign Office; the revelation has prompted calls for his resignation, with Olly Robbins's sacking heightening scrutiny of Downing Street's handling of the affair.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned in 2024 that appointing Peter Mandelson—linked to Jeffrey Epstein—as ambassador to the United States posed a general reputational risk, with vetting documents noting a long, close relationship and even Mandelson staying at Epstein’s home. The affair deepened after Mandelson was fired in 2025 amid the controversy, as U.S. and U.K. investigations continued and authorities redacted documents pending legal or security concerns. Starmer apologized for the decision and called for ethics reforms as more files are released.
New government files show Peter Mandelson sought a £547,201 payout after being sacked as UK ambassador to the US, with the Treasury later agreeing a £75,000 settlement (including £40,329.50 pay in lieu and £34,670.50 severance); the release flags Epstein ties as a reputational risk during vetting and notes Mandelson answered questions about the relationship.
Reform UK says it is vetting Welsh Senedd candidates with social-media checks and background reviews, a process described as brutal and intrusive by a party councillor. The party has scrutinized decades of online history, leading to the exclusion of some potentially good candidates for past posts, including a pattern seen in 2024 when 12 Reform candidates were dropped after their past comments. No Welsh leadership or list of candidates has been officially announced yet, and rumours about leadership are not official.
Four CNN sources say Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was asked by Kamala Harris’s vetting team whether he had ever been an agent of a foreign government—prompts cited China's influence as Walz had traveled there before his political career—mirroring a similar line of questioning that led Dana Remus to ask Josh Shapiro if he had ever been an agent for Israel. Shapiro called that inquiry offensive and linked it to concerns about antisemitism; aides describe vetting as a standard but sometimes expanded process, and Harris allies disclosed Walz’s questioning to help explain the rushed vetting as she moved to join the ticket.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro writes in a forthcoming memoir that Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential vetting team asked him whether he had ever been an agent of the Israeli government, a question he says was offensive; Dana Remus reportedly pressed him on undercover Israeli contact amid broader debates over Israel and antisemitism in the 2024 vetting process, a moment that strained Biden-Harris circles and drew commentary from antisemitism advocates.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recounts in his memoir how Kamala Harris’s team grilled him over his views on Israel—went so far as to ask if he’d ever been an undercover Israeli agent. He found the line of questioning offensive but says it reflected the vigor of the vetting process. He ultimately withdrew from consideration after a final meeting with Harris, who chose Tim Walz for the ticket. The memoir, Where We Keep the Light, also weaves in faith, family, and recent political events, with release set for Jan. 27.
USCIS's end-of-year review highlights significant efforts under Secretary Noem to strengthen immigration screening, crack down on fraud, enhance national security, and prioritize American interests through policy reforms, increased enforcement, and technological advancements.
During Trump's second term, a record number of personnel nominations have been withdrawn or delayed due to rapid nomination pace and vetting issues, prompting concerns from Senate Republicans about the quality and thoroughness of the vetting process.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that starting October 30, 2025, automatic extensions of employment authorization documents (EADs) for renewal applicants will end, emphasizing increased vetting and screening to enhance public safety and security, with limited exceptions. This change aims to improve background checks and deter fraud, requiring applicants to renew their EADs proactively to avoid lapses in employment authorization.
The US State Department is reviewing over 55 million visa holders for potential violations, with the possibility of revoking visas and deporting individuals based on criteria like criminal activity, terrorism support, or overstays, amid a broader crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration.