It is hard to see how Starmer can survive this, if accurate. He either knew at the time and approved overruling the decision and hid it and lied or was briefed as the scandal developed and hid it and lied or we are expected to believe Mr Keir "Human Rights Barrister and Competent Pair of Hands" Starmer didn't ask and noone briefed in the middle of a relevant scandal and he is an incompetent buffoon https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/16/revealed-mandelson-failed-vetting-but-foreign-office-overruled-decision #UKPol