Cabinet bodyguards employed to protect ministers and MPs during the recent general election operated without full security clearance, a contractor has acknowledged. The revelation raises questions about the vetting processes for personnel tasked with safeguarding senior government figures.

The Home Office contracts the security firm Mitie to provide close protection officers for politicians considered to be at heightened risk of attack. This arrangement, valued at £31 million, was established following the 2021 assassination of Conservative MP David Amess by an Islamist extremist, and the earlier killing of Labour MP Jo Cox by a neo-Nazi in 2016. The contract aims to enhance the safety measures around vulnerable lawmakers.

However, internal communications from Mitie employees to the company’s managing director for security, Gary Culloden, have disclosed concerns about standards within the operation. The staff members raised “serious and ongoing” issues, including claims that close protection officers were deployed “without appropriate security clearances or passes” on multiple occasions during the election period.

Mitie responded by acknowledging these concerns, stating that personnel had been deployed while still awaiting full security clearance. The company said it recognized the seriousness of the matter but did not provide further detail on the extent or duration of the lapses. Meanwhile, the Home Office maintains that all security operatives engaged under the Mitie contract undergo rigorous background checks prior to assignment.

The contractor’s admission suggests a potential gap in vetting protocols during a critical period when protective measures for elected officials are under heightened scrutiny. It remains unclear how many officers operated under these conditions or whether any security breaches occurred as a result. The Home Office and Mitie have not commented on any ongoing reviews or steps being taken to prevent similar issues in the future.