Keir Starmer urged to include ‘deep dive’ into ombudsman appointment in vetting review

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

The British prime minister has been urged to ensure that a probe into Government security vetting following revelations about Peter Mandelson also includes a “deep dive” into the appointment of a former police ombudsman in Northern Ireland.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson claimed that Marie Anderson had been appointed to the role in 2019 “despite security concerns”.

Anderson, who was responsible for investigating complaints against police officers, retired from the role at the end of 2025.

Why she was appointed, why the security information was ignored and how this can be the case?

In the House of Commons on Monday, Keir Starmer answered questions from MPs about the security vetting when Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador.

Mandelson was sacked in September last year after revelations about the extent of his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Robinson told the Starmer he was the “main character in an ongoing national scandal”.

He added that it was “incredible to learn that in Northern Ireland a political appointment was made following the refusal to clear an individual for security access”.

The DUP leader said Anderson had engaged in legacy issues in the region “despite Security Service concerns”.

He said: “If the Prime Minister is ordering a review by Sir Adrian Fulford, will he ensure it includes within its terms of reference or separately, a deep dive into the appointment of Marie Anderson, the Northern Ireland police ombudsman.

“Why she was appointed, why the security information was ignored and how this can be the case?”

Starmer said: “I will ensure the review covers all the relevant issues and material and I will take into account what he has just said.”

Earlier, DUP MLA Trevor Clarke told MLAs that concerns had been raised about the “integrity” of vetting processes in the appointment of Ms Anderson.

Clarke told the Northern Ireland Assembly that the former ombudsman had been appointed at a time when there was no devolved government in Northern Ireland.

He said: “The appointment process rested solely with the Northern Ireland Office.”

The MLA added: “Concerns have now been raised with me and others regarding the integrity of that appointment process, something we should all be concerned about.

“Ms Anderson was nevertheless deemed appointable and subsequently appointed to the role which carries access to very highly sensitive information regarding senior policing personnel, something which alarmed us then and should alarm us more now.

“If such claims are accurate, they raise deep and serious concerns about the robustness of the vetting process, the safeguards that were put in place at the time and the decision making that led to her particular appointment.”

Clarke said it was “essential that full transparency is provided on this matter”.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: “Marie Anderson was appointed in 2019 by the then secretary of state.

“We are looking into our records and will respond as soon as possible.

“The Prime Minister has also confirmed this matter will be included as part of the Fulford review.”

The office of the Police Ombudsman has also been approached for comment.

Following her appointment, Ms Anderson was investigated for alleged misconduct in public office and also for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice following a domestic incident in Co Down in 2023.

It came following the conclusion of an independent investigation into events relating to an incident at a property linked to Anderson in Holywood.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers went to the property at about 6.30pm on Saturday, September 23rd 2023, after a report of a domestic incident.

A man was arrested as part of the inquiry and later cautioned for common assault.

West Midlands Police were then tasked with investigating further aspects of the incident.

A file of evidence was later sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Last year, the PPS announced it had taken the decision not to prosecute Anderson.

It said that after careful consideration of the file, it was concluded by prosecutors there was no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence.