Guidance

Vetting Review Terms of Reference

Published 1 June 2026

Purpose of the Review

To undertake a review and provide recommendations on the lessons for the National Security Vetting (NSV) system from the Peter Mandelson case, and the policy, process and exemptions in place for NSV.

Background

The Prime Minister has commissioned a short review in relation to the lessons that can be drawn from that case and more broadly, the arrangements of NSV for Privy Counsellors, Direct Ministerial Appointments and other categories of individuals provided with access to sensitive material through the nature of their role.

Scope

The review will focus on the following areas:

1. The specific case of NSV, including the process, scope of information gathered and decision making for Peter Mandelson’s Developed Vetting and the interaction with other authorisations. The review will determine what lessons can be drawn from the case and incorporated into the end-to-end vetting policy and process, and responsibilities of vetting departments, sponsoring organisations, and vetted individuals.
2. The decision making arrangements that are currently in place for developed vetting cases and whether these are fit for purpose and adequately manage security risks. This will include consideration of the NSV approach where it provides the ‘Make Recommendation’ service to customers, and how this operates in practice in FCDO and other departments.
3. The NSV arrangements in place for Direct Ministerial Appointments, and it will advise on the appropriateness and effectiveness of these.
4. The NSV exemption for Privy Counsellors, and it will advise on the appropriateness and effectiveness of this arrangement in situations when Privy Counsellors require access to sensitive and/or classified material.
5. How best His Majesty’s Government can enable access of members of the Opposition, and other categories of individuals not ordinarily vetted, to classified material when required by the Government of the day.

Methodology

The review will employ a mixed-methods approach, which will include:

• Document review (including relevant policies, vetting material, and process documents).
• Stakeholder interviews (including as necessary UKSV employees, stakeholders within government, and vetting policy officials). The Cabinet Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will be able to input into this list.

Reporting and Outcomes

This review will culminate in a short report provided to the Cabinet Secretary and the Security Minister (who is responsible for vetting policy). It will:

• Set out key findings and insights within the remit of this review.
• Where appropriate, provide actionable recommendations to enhance areas within the scope of the review.

A summary of the report will be produced for public release, providing high level recommendations and relevant information suitable for the public domain.

Timing

The Review is estimated to be completed in 4-6 weeks, with an update and high level interim findings to be completed in advance of May 20th.

Information Handling 

The Chair is expected to treat the information provided for the Review confidentially. To the extent the Chair wishes to share any personal data provided, he should notify CO in advance. The Chair is asked only to share information (in particular, any personal data) with a limited pool of individuals and only if necessary to complete the review. He should keep a record of all individuals in receipt of information provided as part of the review and provide this list to CO.