MPs hear how question of pressure is at heart of Mandelson scandal (opens in new tab)

Key testimony was over whether decision to grant security clearance despite vetting advice was influenced by No 10UK politics live – latest updatesThe latest two witnesses to testify to parliament over Peter Mandelson’s appointment had plenty to offer headline writers. “A toxic hot potato” was how Philip Barton, the former top civil servant in the Foreign Office, described Mandelson’s links with Jeffrey Epstein, a view he would have shared with Downing Street if only he’d been asked.“A knife ...