Written Question·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·UIN 128094

Diplomatic Service: Vetting

Tabled: 17 April 2026
Answered: 22 April 2026
Named Day

Question

Alicia Kearns

ConservativeRutland and Stamford

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many currently serving Ambassadors have been appointed despite failing their security vetting.

Answer

Seema Malhotra
Subject to the normal vetting process, all Heads of Mission are required to have Developed Vetting security clearance.