00:00So, I'm afraid what that translated into for my team in the Foreign Office, and certainly the handover briefing I
00:08was getting as I arrived at post, was what I felt was a generally dismissive attitude to his vetting clearance.
00:15The focus was on getting Mandelson out to Washington quickly.
00:20Despite this atmosphere, an atmosphere of pressure, the department completed developed vetting to the normal high standard.
00:30Because the vetting process is not there to determine fitness for office or reputational risk.
00:35It's there to protect national security.
00:38I'm afraid I don't think at the point of his appointment and four days thereafter, it was actually a given
00:43that he would be vetted.
00:45Again, if you look at the documents submitted under the Humble Address, there is no stipulation from Number 10 that
00:54he should be vetted.
00:56The welcome that was sent to him immediately afterwards doesn't say, welcome to the Foreign Office, subject to vetting.
01:03The announcement put out on the 20th of December says that he will be out early in the new year.
01:09It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
01:11It does not say, subject to vetting.
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