Sir Keir Starmer Faces Security Clearance Concerns

Sir Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure regarding the security clearance of Jonathan Powell, his Special Envoy for negotiations concerning the Chagos Islands. The controversy centers on Powell’s appointment without the necessary vetting, raising questions about national security and potential conflicts of interest.

Chagos Negotiations and Powell's Role

Jonathan Powell was appointed as Sir Keir’s Special Envoy for negotiations with Mauritius over the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory in September 2024. Reports indicate that Powell began discussions with the Foreign Office and accessed classified information a month before his official appointment.

Vetting Process Timeline

It has been suggested that Powell did not have Developed Vetting (DV) clearance at the time of his initial appointment. The vetting process reportedly only began when he was later named National Security Adviser in November. This situation mirrors the recent concerns surrounding Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US Ambassador, where he also gained access to sensitive information before formal clearance.

Parliamentary Scrutiny and Admissions

Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir’s former chief of staff, admitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee that Powell was appointed before the completion of necessary vetting procedures. When asked specifically about Powell’s DV clearance during his role as Chagos envoy, McSweeney stated he was unsure.

Concerns Over Access to Classified Information

The Prime Minister is now under pressure to reveal the extent of Powell’s access to classified documents during discussions about the Chagos Islands, which are home to the strategically important US-UK Diego Garcia airbase. Concerns have also been raised regarding Powell’s business interests in China through his company, Inter Mediate, potentially posing security risks.

Criticism and Calls for Investigation

Ben Obese-Jecty, a critic of Powell’s appointment, accused Sir Keir of prioritizing personal connections over national security, characterizing the situation as part of a pattern of “jobs for the boys.” Obese-Jecty has called for a parliamentary investigation into Powell’s access to sensitive information while conducting meetings in China without the highest level of security clearance.

Government Response and Transparency Issues

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir declined to detail Powell’s security clearance status when appointed as Chagos envoy, instead praising his contributions. Government sources maintain Powell had the necessary permissions, with Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty stating all shared information followed established procedures.

However, No 10 has been unable to provide a record of the meeting where Sir Keir decided to appoint Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador. A No 10 spokesperson acknowledged the need for “lessons to be learned” but affirmed a commitment to transparency. Kemi Badenoch expressed astonishment at the lack of records, noting that such decisions usually involve a private secretary.