Mandelson not given in-depth vetting before appointment, says Foreign Office

Letter to MPs says former US ambassador went through process only after his new role was announced to public

Peter Mandelson was not subject to in-depth security vetting prior to his appointment as ambassador to Washington, the government has said.

The Cabinet Office conducted a due diligence process on Mandelson before he was chosen for the role but this was not a security check, the Foreign Office said in a letter to MPs.