[Sephiroth]

There's a big disjoint in Starmer's case. He's complaining that he wasn't told that Mandelson had failed vetting. Yet, Mandelson was actually granted DV status. It was within the PUS' remit to grant clearance if the mitigations were achievable.

The disjoint arises because he pleads guilty to poor judgement in choosing Mandelson. To deflect this away, Starmer complains of something that isn't true: Namely that he wasn't told that Mandelson had failed vetting.

The UKVS vetting is just one stage in the process. The process is only complete when the procuring senior officer has rendered a decision.

So, squirm, baby, squirm. More fun to come, plus May 7th.