Mandelson ties to China, Russia and Israel flagged in vetting – The Latest
episodePreviously titled “Revealed: Mandelson vetting warned of ties to China, Russia and Israel – The Latest” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 2, 2026
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What concerns were raised about Peter Mandelson's associations?
What we've established through our sources is that there were wide-ranging concerns, some of them related to Peter Mandelson's associations before he became ambassador to Washington. This information may not have been disclosed to the public and we essentially think the public has a right to know.
The Guardian exclusively reveals that Peter Mandelson's ties with senior figures in China, Russia and Israel were among the concerns raised by the UK's vetting agency when it concluded he'd be denied security clearance as US ambassador. From The Guardian's Today In Focus, this is The Latest with me, Lucy Hall. Paul Lewis, the Guardian's Head of Investigations, is here.
What specific ties to China, Russia, and Israel were highlighted?
You have a follow-up to the major exclusive with your colleagues Pippa Crear and Henry Dyer last month that the UK's vetting agency, the UK government's vetting agency, recommended that Peter Mandelson be denied security clearance, advice that was overruled by the Foreign Office, as per your statement. Revelation last month, you've since learnt more information about why the vetting agency recommended that security clearance be denied. What were some of the concerns raised?
Yes. I mean, this is the this is the question I think everyone sort of wanted an answer to, you know, that security officials thought that he shouldn't get developed vesting clearance.
Why did the UK's vetting agency recommend denying Mandelson security clearance?
So what were their concerns? What we've established through our sources is that there were wide ranging concerns, some of them related to Peter Mandelson's associations before he became ambassador to Washington. And I'll give you four examples. One was a relationship with China's finance minister, Lan Foan. Another was his friendship with Oleg Deripaska, who is a Russian-sanctioned oligarch.
What were the implications of Mandelson's relationships for national security?
A third was his association with someone called Tamir Heyman, who is a, or was, a director of intelligence for the Israeli military. And then there was a fourth individual who is British, that security officials felt could be compromising to Mandelson. I suspect that the thing that is going to be the cause of most interest in Parliament will actually be his relationship with Lan, who is obviously incredibly senior. He's a finance minister in China.
How did the Foreign Office respond to the vetting agency's recommendations?
He has met with twice Rachel Reeves and once with Keir Starmer. That throws up a whole number of questions. I mean, was Mandelson... involved in arranging these meetings between Lan and senior members of the British government? Did he disclose that he had a prior relationship with this individual?
What are the allegations regarding government transparency in this case?
So I would imagine that that as much as all of the other concerns that we've identified were issues that were flagged by the agency will be of interest now.
And so Paul, how much was known about those four associations and why they might be considered a risk to national security?
So it was publicly known that Mandelson had a relationship with Deripaska. I mean, that's been quite long standing. Of course, it wasn't known that that was one of the associations that was an issue of concern to security officials.
What questions remain about the vetting process and its oversight?
I mean, you know, I guess it is noteworthy that both when it comes to Lan, the Chinese minister, and Deripaska, those are two individuals who, if you like, are embedded in the power structures of two hostile states, China and Russia. But those associations were not the only concerns that were flagged by the agency. There were more. There was also a concern that Mandelson was naive in relation to the risks posed by some of his historical relationships, completely unrelated. And also, intriguingly, there was a £1 million loan that security officials noted was due to be used to purchase shares in an Israeli company.
What might the future hold for the investigation into Mandelson's appointment?
company. Now, the fact he had shares in this company, this company is called Moon Active, it's an Israeli gaming company, was known. But when we looked at the declaration of interest, there was no reference to this loan. So, you know, one of the many questions, I think, for Mandelson in the coming days and for the government will be why this loan wasn't declared in the House of Lords register. You know, a lot of this can seem quite complicated and convoluted, but really it boils down to some essential facts.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What concerns were raised about Peter Mandelson's associations?
0:00–0:50
2
What specific ties to China, Russia, and Israel were highlighted?
0:50–1:27
3
Why did the UK's vetting agency recommend denying Mandelson security clearance?
1:27–1:55
4
What were the implications of Mandelson's relationships for national security?
1:55–2:23
5
How did the Foreign Office respond to the vetting agency's recommendations?
2:23–2:40
6
What are the allegations regarding government transparency in this case?
2:40–3:11
7
What questions remain about the vetting process and its oversight?
3:11–3:52
8
What might the future hold for the investigation into Mandelson's appointment?
3:52–14:56