00:00Well, I find it staggering that the Prime Minister can even deny this.
00:04I mean, he's basically said due process was followed in the appointment of Peter Mandelson
00:08to what is, after all, the most important and sensitive ambassadorial role, which is in Washington.
00:14To me, it's pretty obvious that what we had here was a predetermined policy from the Prime Minister.
00:20He wanted Peter Mandelson to be his ambassador to the United States.
00:23And he said, he effectively said to the machine, you now deliver that.
00:27And that's what they've gone and done, which is why you've heard from Ollie Robbins in front of the Select
00:31Committee about the pressure that was applied.
00:33That does not sound like due process.
00:36And most importantly, this letter from Simon Case, the then cabinet secretary, the most senior civil servant,
00:43saying to the Prime Minister that he should conduct the vetting before the appointment.
00:47That didn't happen. So this sounds like a process, but not due process.
00:51And the Prime Minister said it was followed. We think he's misled Parliament in saying that.
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