Sir Keir Starmer knew of the risks that Lord Peter Mandelson's relationship with "toxic, hot potato" Jeffrey Epstein could have, and proceeded with the peer's appointment as US ambassador, the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office has said.Sir Philip Barton also told the Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) that there was not a "dismissive" attitude towards getting Lord Mandelson high-level security clearance for the role.Sir Philip is giving evidence to MPs as part of the investiga

Sir Keir Starmer knew of the risks that Lord Peter Mandelson's relationship with "toxic, hot potato" Jeffrey Epstein could have, and proceeded with the peer's appointment as US ambassador, the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office has said.Sir Philip Barton also told the Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) that there was not a "dismissive" attitude towards getting Lord Mandelson high-level security clearance for the role.Sir Philip is giving evidence to MPs as part of the investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.