Philip Barton gives evidence to foreign affairs committee, with Morgan McSweeney due later this morning, ahead of vote this afternoon
Q: Where you ever asked your view about appointing Peter Mandelson?
Barton says he was first told about this on 15 December 2024.
In the end, this is an appointment to the most senior job in our foreign service. I was head of the diplomatic service. So I think it is possible, without asking me as a civil servant, I think it is possible [a civil servant] to be involved in a conversation, for example, around what is what are the requirements, what does the UK need in the period ahead and that sort of thing – even if that you’re not then involved in the absolute decision making discussions around individuals who are politicians because it’s a political appointment.
Continue reading...This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Andrew Sparrow.
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