The government has agreed to release potentially significant information regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, marking a notable victory for Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch. This decision follows her successful tabling of a humble address motion in the Commons, a parliamentary tool that the government has opted not to fully oppose, despite its substantial working majority.
Parliamentary Pressure Forces Transparency
In a move that underscores the power of opposition tactics, Badenoch utilised the humble address mechanism to compel the release of papers related to Mandelson's controversial appointment. This procedure, if passed, legally obliges the government to comply with the request for documentation. Ironically, the effectiveness of this parliamentary weapon was previously demonstrated by Keir Starmer himself during his tenure as shadow Brexit secretary.
The Humble Address Motion Details
The motion tabled by the Conservatives calls for a comprehensive release of all papers pertaining to Lord Mandelson's appointment as His Majesty's ambassador to the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, Cabinet Office due diligence materials, conflict of interest forms submitted to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and security vetting information concerning Mandelson's interests in relation to Global Counsel, as well as his connections to Russia, China, and Jeffrey Epstein.
Additionally, the motion seeks electronic communications between the prime minister's chief of staff and Lord Mandelson, minutes of meetings in the six months prior to his appointment, and details of any payments made to him upon his departure from the ambassadorial role and the civil service.
Government's Conditional Acceptance
Rather than outright rejecting the motion, the government has proposed an amendment that agrees to publish the requested documents, with a crucial exemption for papers deemed prejudicial to UK national security or international relations. This caveat could potentially allow for a significant withholding of information, with the final decision resting on the cabinet secretary's discretion.
The Prime Minister's decision to accept most of the motion, rather than ordering MPs to vote it down, reflects political sensitivity, particularly in light of Labour's stance. This approach mirrors past instances where humble addresses have been used, such as in 2017 when Starmer forced the release of Brexit economic impact documents, though outcomes have varied, as seen with the limited disclosure following a 2022 vote on Boris Johnson's peerage decisions.
Today's Parliamentary Agenda
The debate on the Tory humble address motion is scheduled for after 12.30pm, with votes expected around 4pm. This follows a busy day in Westminster, including PMQs at noon, where Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch, and earlier events featuring Health Secretary Wes Streeting launching the national cancer plan and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood giving evidence to a Commons committee.
