Keir Starmer

Number 10 wasn't told that he'd failed security vetting.

That is completely unacceptable.

There is also a judgment I made that was wrong.

I should not have appointed Peter Mandelson.

And I apologise again to the victims of the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who were clearly failed by my decisions.

That the Foreign Secretary was advised on and allowed to sign this statement without being told that UKSB had recommended Peter Mandelson be denied developed betting clearance is absolutely unforgivable.

Prime Minister?

In relation to the decision, yes, it was my decision.

It was an error of judgment and that's why I've apologised to the victims of Epstein.

I've done it again today and right to do so.

In relation to the second point of his question, were there any other political appointments, I will have to just check on that and get back to him because I'm not...

There are very many appointments made, very many appointments made to seating positions.

And I will just check that.

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear.

If I had been told that Peter Mandelson or anybody else had failed security, had not been given clearance on security vetting, I would not have appointed them.

A deliberate decision was taken to withhold that material.

This was not a lack of asking.

This wasn't an oversight.

It was a decision taken not to share that information on repeated occasions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer.