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Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address
19 May 2026
Lead MP
Darren Jones
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Parliamentary Procedure
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Darren Jones raised concerns about lord mandelson: government response to humble address in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Government have been working to comply with the motion passed in February. They confirmed before Prorogation that over 300 documents were referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The ISC has now reviewed all these documents, including a small number of additional ones identified by the Government. A second tranche of material will be published after Whitsun recess due to its significant length, allowing sufficient time for the House to review it. This publication will include clear methodology detailing redactions based on national security and international relations concerns, adhering to legal principles set out in the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Redactions also protect junior officials' personal data to uphold duty of care.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Question
Does the Minister accept that if the Government redact or withhold information beyond national security grounds without securing the House's consent, it undermines parliamentary sovereignty?
Minister reply
The Government adhere to legislative principles regarding redactions. Raw data from security vetting processes is not published to maintain honesty and effectiveness in future investigations.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
What measures are being taken to address the extensive use of non-corporate communications channels for sensitive documents?
Minister reply
A review of non-corporate communication channels is imminent, along with actions to ensure appropriate classification levels for shared information.
Neil O'Brien
Con
Harborough
Question
The House instructed the Government to only redact documents that might prejudice national security or international relations. Sir Jeremy Wright claims the Government has gone beyond this scope and withheld documents from the ISC, which undermines the will of the House. This pattern of backsliding is evident in issues such as the Mandelson scandal and changes to indefinite leave to remain rules.
Minister reply
The Minister asserts that there is no cover-up and the process is being followed properly. He refers MPs to his previous answers.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Question
Why was Peter Mandelson appointed despite two red boxes on the UKSV document, including one saying he should not be appointed? The public deserves to know if lessons have been learned from past mistakes. My Committee and the ISC are trying their best to get to the truth but face obstacles.
Minister reply
The documents relating to the recommendation put to the Foreign Office and its decision on Mandelson’s appointment have been referred to the ISC, while raw data collected during interviews with Peter Mandelson has not.
Question
Ministers cannot decide which inconvenient information Parliament should not see four months later. The ISC's concerns that the Government is redacting too broadly must be addressed to ensure transparency and public trust. Will the Minister confirm the same for documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role?
Minister reply
The Government has gone to great lengths to comply with the Humble Address, establishing a process with the ISC and PACAC for proper oversight. The document related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is due to be published shortly.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Question
Reassurances are needed that Morgan McSweeney only ever handled documents within his security vetting level while working in Downing Street.
Minister reply
The Minister refers the hon. Friend to previous answers.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
The ISC stated that the Humble Address does not allow documents to be withheld from Parliament, only redactions with ISC agreement. Last week, it emerged that documents were being withheld from the ISC. Will all material be submitted as per the Humble Address?
Minister reply
All documents in scope of the Humble Address will be published. Redactions relating to international relations or national security have been submitted to the ISC.
Question
Concerned about No. 10 continuing to cover up Mandelson’s dealings by redacting and withholding information, including his role in a Prime Minister's meeting with Palantir and access granted to NHS patient data. Will all information relating to Mandelson’s involvement be exposed?
Minister reply
All documents will be published as per the Humble Address; any suggestion of a cover-up is merely conspiracy theory.
Question
When Olly Robbins appeared before the Foreign Affairs Committee, he was asked why he did not view the summary document produced by UK Security Vetting. He pointed to the sensitivity of the vetting interviews and said that those detailed vetting files should remain in a “hermetically sealed box”. The Government do need the consent of Parliament to keep the full details sealed and inaccessible to the ISC. In the future, does the Minister intend the Foreign Office to have the discretion to award developed vetting, or will that sit solely with UKSV?
Minister reply
As I have said, any summary documentation and recommendation that was put by UKSV to the Foreign Office has been shared with the hon. Gentleman’s Committee. What has not been shared was the raw data collected in interviews with Peter Mandelson. If it were known that such personal detail could be made public, people going through the security process would not feel able to give full and frank answers, undermining the very nature of our national security system.
Question
Would the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister provide an update on the Government’s proposed legislation to remove peerages from those disgraced peers?
Minister reply
I was delighted to see it confirmed last week in the King’s Speech that this legislation will be introduced in this Session. We will be bringing it forward shortly.
David Davis
Cons
Haltemprice and Howden
Question
When it became apparent that Mandelson posed an obvious and serious security risk to the state, mitigations were put in place. Will the ISC see those ongoing mitigations? And if not, why not?
Minister reply
I think this is a question specifically to the Foreign Office in relation to evidence given by the former permanent secretary. Mitigations can be put in place to manage risks. For example, if you previously had a client in a commercial relationship with a business, you would not be allowed to meet them privately while holding public office.
Question
Will the second tranche of materials include materials that have previously been referred to the ISC?
Minister reply
The second tranche of information will publish all remaining documents except those currently with the Metropolitan police in relation to ongoing criminal investigations. We want to publish it with sufficient notice for Members to consider it before coming to the House to ask questions.
Julian Lewis
Cons
New Forest East
Question
Can the Minister confirm that all documents, including annotations and documents showing how an initial failure to pass vetting for Lord Mandelson became a decision to approve him, will be made available to the ISC?
Minister reply
I can confirm that all documents that need to be referred to the ISC have now been referred to it. That process has concluded, which is why we can move to publication after the recess.
Question
Will the Minister say clearly when after the Whitsun recess he will release the next tranche of documents?
Minister reply
I really do not think Members are advocating that the raw information collected as part of national security screening interviews with people who are becoming public servants ought to be shared with Parliament. The summary of those recommendations and the advice put to Departments should be and have been shared, and I think that is the appropriate way to handle it.
Julian Smith
Cons
Skipton and Ripon
Question
Will the Minister confirm that if there are any changes to permissions, he will come to this House and seek approval from the House for those changes?
Minister reply
I think I am right in saying that the right hon. and learned Member for Kenilworth and Southam made the point that the Committee was in some agreement in relation to the Government’s argument about sharing raw data. I do not think that is the issue in dispute, so I am not sure that any suggestion of withholding information against the will of the motion is in contention.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
When will we get the report and what is the image being created among the public? The Minister started off by saying he could have presented the document this Thursday. If he knows he could have done that on Thursday, when after Whitsun will we see it?
Minister reply
As I say and as the House will see when the document is published, if I had published the document on Thursday, with the House rising on Thursday afternoon, Members would rightly have criticised the Government for not being able to have sufficient time to read it and ask questions of the Government. I am keen for it to be published as soon as possible after the Whitsun recess.
Alec Shelbrooke
Cons
Elmet and Rothwell
Question
Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the data before the unnecessary and costly by-election—yes or no?
Minister reply
The information will be published to the House after the Whitsun recess, as I set out. I am afraid that I just disagree with the right hon. Gentleman’s sentiment.
Question
Why can he not commit to a timetable so we can hold him to account? Will the Minister bring forward legislation to make the ministerial code binding and ensure consequences?
Minister reply
The Government believe the ministerial code is functioning as it should. We have increased the accountability measures associated with it. Where legislation is required—for example, to remove peerages from disgraced peers in the other place—we will bring it forward shortly.
Mark Francois
Cons
Rayleigh and Wickford
Question
Can he guarantee to the House and constituents that this large batch of documents will be published in advance of the Makerfield by-election on 18 June—yes or no?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman knows we have to secure time in the House with business managers. I am ready for the document to be published as soon as we are ready to do so, and I have committed to doing so after the recess.
Question
Regarding disappearing messages, the MP wants a detailed breakdown of all those who were asked to supply information but could not due to disappearing messages on their phones.
Minister reply
All relevant documents will be published in the second tranche.
Question
The Prime Minister's promise of transparency and honesty has been contradicted by recent actions. The MP questions why redactions have occurred if the Government is doing nothing wrong.
Minister reply
Redactions are made for personal data or national security reasons.
Question
The Committees' accusations of unfairness in providing information to the House, and why these accusations were raised if the Government did not do anything wrong.
Minister reply
That is a question for those committees.
Question
Concerns about lack of transparency surrounding Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US and why documents are withheld from the Intelligence and Security Committee.
Minister reply
The Government has not amended the Humble Address terms; those relevant documents have been shared with ISC.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Rebuilding trust in public life, especially given recent instances of overreach by government bodies. The MP asks what steps can be taken to restore public confidence.
Minister reply
The Government has initiated the Ethics and Integrity Commission, updated the ministerial code, and is introducing legislation on removing peerages from disgraced peers.
Question
After Parliament passed the Humble Address showing distrust of the Government, why does the Minister not accept coming to the House for permission if redactions exceed public interest?
Minister reply
Redactions comply with national security and international relations interests as agreed by ISC.
Question
Why does the Minister reject a review of Mandelson files over Whitsun recess, when it would facilitate better scrutiny after 1 June?
Minister reply
The intent is to increase scrutiny, not limit it.
Question
Is the Government's lack of transparency and accountability shown by the ISC condemning their actions?
Minister reply
Questions about the Committee’s statement are for the Committee; the Government has complied fully with the Humble Address.
Shadow Comment
Jeremy Wright
Shadow Comment
The Government's redaction of documents beyond national security grounds, such as email addresses and phone numbers, raises concerns about the House's ability to confirm necessity. The ISC is sympathetic but cannot accept unilateral alterations to the Humble Address terms. The Government must seek the House’s consent if they wish to refine the motion. Redacting or withholding information contrary to agreed terms would undermine parliamentary sovereignty.
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