ISC Oversight Secured as Commons Demands Mandelson Papers

High-Level Summary

The Commons focused on digital policy and young people’s online safety during Science, Innovation and Technology questions, moved to Prime Minister’s Questions dominated by exchanges on Lord Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, and then held an Opposition Day debate on disclosure of papers relating to Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to the United States. A manuscript amendment was agreed so that sensitive material sought by the Humble Address will be referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee. The House gave leave for a Ten Minute Rule Bill to prohibit the sale and advertising of human remains. A later adjournment debate examined the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) funding changes. Results and scheduling of deferred divisions on climate change regulations were also announced.

Detailed Summary

Oral Answers to Questions: Science, Innovation and Technology

Members questioned Ministers on artificial intelligence (AI), children’s online safety and rural broadband. Liz Kendall said AI would create and change jobs as well as displace some roles, citing Government plans for AI growth zones and skills: “AI is creating jobs, such as the 15,000 new jobs in our five AI growth zones”. She confirmed a swift consultation on teenagers’ social media use would consider options including an under‑16s ban, curfews and stronger age verification: “we will consult on a range of different options, including a ban on social media for the under-16s”; she later said the consultation “will include the option of banning social media for under-16s” and that she would act “as swiftly as possible” subject to the outcome.

On platform accountability, Kendall said she kept issues such as algorithms and disinformation under review “because we want to ensure that AI and tech is used for good”. On AI and copyright, she said Ministers were meeting “the creative sector and those from the AI industry” to find a way forward. She reiterated that “phones should not be used in schools”, with Ofsted inspection backing. On rural connectivity, Minister Josh Simons reported more than 1.3 million rural premises had been upgraded via Government‑funded programmes and said alternatives such as satellites and fixed wireless were being explored for hard‑to‑reach areas. On protecting young people online, Kanishka Narayan pointed to new offences under the Online Safety Act and confirmed close work with the Department for Education on media literacy: “we are engaging very closely with the Department for Education on a media literacy aspect of the national curriculum”.

Prime Minister’s Questions (Engagements)

The Prime Minister opened by announcing a national cancer plan with investment in technology, more tests and scans, and support for families: “we are publishing our national cancer plan to transform care for patients”. Most exchanges focused on Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Mandelson as Ambassador to the US. The Prime Minister said due diligence and security vetting were undertaken and that later information led to Mandelson’s dismissal. He said he intended to publish material in response to the Humble Address, with exemptions for national security and international relations: “I intend to make sure that all the material is published… [except] anything that would prejudice national security… or… international relations”, and noted the Metropolitan Police had been in touch about avoiding prejudice to their investigations.

Pressed on whether official vetting mentioned Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein, he replied: “Yes, it did”. The Prime Minister described Mandelson’s actions as a betrayal and outlined steps including referral to police, legislation to remove titles from disgraced peers, and removal from the Privy Council: “Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party”. Other questions covered illegal e‑bikes, a petition on Thames Water, finance for defence industries, local government funding pressures, and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) talks with the EU. No decisions were taken at PMQs.

Points of Order

Members sought clarification on the scope of any exemptions to a potential Humble Address and on claims made during PMQs. The Speaker noted the seriousness of issues raised and that Ministers had heard the points: “The issues that he has raised are very serious and will be taken seriously”. Later, he clarified that House rules did not prevent Ministers from answering fully notwithstanding an ongoing police investigation.

Ten Minute Rule Motion: Human Remains (Prohibition of Sale, Purchase and Advertising) Bill

Bell Ribeiro‑Addy introduced a Bill to prohibit giving or receiving a reward for the supply of human remains, and to prohibit advertising such sales, with exemptions. She highlighted an unregulated market online and at auctions: “In short, this Bill is about the buying and selling of human remains”. The House granted leave; the Bill was read a First time and scheduled for Second Reading on Friday 27 February.

Opposition Day: Lord Mandelson (Humble Address)

The Opposition sought a Humble Address requiring papers on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to the US, including due diligence, vetting inputs and relevant communications. The Chair selected a Government amendment to exempt papers prejudicial to national security or international relations. Debate focused on the Prime Minister’s judgement and process, with repeated cross‑party calls for independent oversight by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). During debate, the Prime Minister’s earlier answer that vetting had flagged the ongoing relationship—“Yes, it did”—was cited. Ministers said the process would be led by the Cabinet Secretary supported by Government lawyers, and indicated openness to ISC involvement: “I can do no more than say I hear what Members are saying, and I will take that point away”.

Mid‑debate, the Government tabled a manuscript amendment so that exempted papers would go to the ISC. The text added: “which shall instead be referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament”. In winding up, the Minister confirmed that sensitive material would be referred to the ISC, while other material would be published, and said legislation to strip Mandelson of his title was “imminent”. The motion, as amended, was agreed to; the resolution included the clause “except papers prejudicial to UK national security or international relations which shall instead be referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament”. The Speaker later clarified that the Metropolitan Police have no jurisdiction over what the House may require to be laid.

Business without Debate and Deferred Divisions

The draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 was put for approval, with a division deferred until Wednesday 11 February. Separately, the Deputy Speaker announced the result of an earlier deferred division on the draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026: Ayes 392, Noes 116, and the formal record shows the question agreed with those numbers.

Public Petition: Tarka Line (North Devon)

Ian Roome presented a petition (over 3,000 signatures) seeking to future‑proof the Tarka rail line between Barnstaple and Exeter following flooding and service disruption: “all trains have been cancelled”. The petition asked the Government to urge Network Rail and Great Western Rail to prioritise improvements and resilience: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the government to ask Network Rail and Great Western Rail to prioritise the Tarka Line for improvements”.

Adjournment Debate: Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Funding

Steve Race raised concerns about the CITB’s decision to end funding for local training groups, arguing they are vital for SMEs and local skills ecosystems: “Local training groups have been vital in supporting micro and small employers”. He cited business feedback on cash‑flow pressures from removing upfront grants and the risk of reduced training. Minister Stephen Timms said construction skills are a Government priority, set out wider funding, and described the CITB changes as an operational “reprioritisation” by the industry‑led board to focus on employer networks and new entrants: “There has been no cut in CITB funding, but there has been a reprioritisation”. He added that replacing training groups with employer networks is “an operational decision for the CITB”. No vote was taken; the Minister invited further discussion and undertook to relay points to the CITB.