Mandelson’s hyperlinks to Epstein had been well-known by authorities figures on the time of his appointment as US ambassador
Starmer warned of ‘reputational threat’ over Mandelson’s Epstein hyperlinks
Sir Keir Starmer was warned there was a “basic reputational threat” over Lord Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein earlier than giving him the US ambassador position.
A “due diligence” doc drawn up by the Cupboard Workplace in December 2024 earlier than his appointment to the plum Washington job famous a sequence of studies detailing his hyperlinks with the billionaire paedophile.
Particulars of Lord Mandelson’s appointment and subsequent removing from workplace had been revealed within the first batch of paperwork referring to the peer launched by the Authorities in response to a requirement from MPs.
week in the past18:43 Katie Harris
Evaluation: Starmer’s Mandelson disaster enters a harmful new stage
Sir Keir Starmer’s Peter Mandelson disaster isn’t going away, and the discharge of every new tranche of paperwork will make voters and Labour MPs alike query the judgement of a Prime Minister who’s hurtling in the direction of electoral catastrophe.
It’s each baffling and chilling to learn the warnings about Lord Mandelson’s relationship with sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein within the official recommendation given to Sir Keir. The PM, a person who makes a advantage of his warning, learn these phrases and but determined at hand him what’s arguably Britain’s prime diplomatic put up.
Learn the complete evaluation right here
The Tories have referred to as on the Authorities to demand Lord Mandelson return his severance pay and “launch the information in full” following the publication of the primary tranche.
Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart mentioned: “The lapse within the Prime Minister’s judgment is aware of no bounds. Permitting a scandal-ridden former Minister entry to extremely delicate data earlier than correct clearance is totally careless.
“Much more troubling is that this occurred whereas the Authorities was conscious of Mandelson’s long-standing, shut connections to Epstein.
“Labour should come clear about what ministers knew, after they knew it, and why nationwide safety safeguards seem to have been handled so casually.
“The Authorities should now launch the information in full and demand Mandelson return his severance to the general public purse.”
week in the past17:07 Katie Harris
Starmer branded ‘worst PM in fashionable historical past’
Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who now sits as an impartial, mentioned it was “exhausting to look at” her former colleagues defending Sir Keir Starmer.
In a put up on X, she mentioned: “Laborious to look at former colleagues, mates from my consumption 12 months, severe MPs who did severe work in earlier Parliaments, as they sit on Govt benches, squirming and making an attempt to ‘spin’ this absolute horror, defending the worst PM in fashionable historical past. They’re higher than this #Mandelson.”
Laborious to look at fomer colleagues, mates from my consumption 12 months, severe MPs who did severe work in earlier Parliaments, as they sit on Govt benches, squirming and making an attempt to ‘spin’ this absolute horror, defending the worst PM in fashionable historical past. They’re higher than this #Mandelson
— Rosie Duffield MP (@RosieDuffield1) March 11, 2026
week in the past17:05 Katie Harris
Polanski requires Starmer to stop
Inexperienced Social gathering chief Zack Polanski has referred to as for Sir Keir Starmer to resign.
He wrote on X: “These information verify that Mandelson’s malign affect runs by this Labour authorities. Starmer knew precisely the selection he was making when he appointed him. He has to go.”
These information verify that Mandelson’s malign affect runs by this Labour authorities.
Starmer knew precisely the selection he was making when he appointed him. He has to go.
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) March 11, 2026
week in the past16:02 Katie Harris
Badenoch says Starmer’s judgement is ‘stunning’
Tory chief Kemi Badenoch mentioned: “Mandelson reportedly leaked delicate authorities paperwork.
“Starmer knew Mandelson had stayed shut mates with Epstein after the conviction for little one prostitution, however made him Ambassador anyway. Now we see he paid Mandelson nearly £80k of our cash. His judgment is stunning.”
week in the past15:36 Katie Harris
Starmer did ask extra questions
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has mentioned that Sir Keir Starmer did ask additional questions of Peter Mandelson, following the due diligence report by the Cupboard Workplace.
He mentioned: “The Prime Minister did ask subsequent questions of Peter Mandelson, following that report being submitted by the Cupboard Workplace.
“These questions had been undertaken by his advisers at Quantity 10, and while this can be a doc that we won’t publish presently, the Prime Minister could be very clear that he regrets having believed the lies that Peter Mandelson put earlier than him.”
week in the past15:24 Katie Harris
Mandelson urged utilizing Farage to spice up Trump relations
Lord Peter Mandelson urged utilizing Nigel Farage to higher the UK’s connections with the Trump administration, newly launched paperwork reveal.
The due diligence report that went to the Prime Minister forward of his appointment as ambassador in Washington quoted the peer as saying of the Reform UK chief: “You’ll be able to’t ignore him, he is an elected member of parliament. He is a public determine. He is a bridgehead, each to President Trump and to Elon Musk and others . . . Nationwide curiosity is served in all kinds of bizarre methods.”
Shadow chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart has claimed that Sir Keir Starmer “knew all he wanted to know” when Peter Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador.
He mentioned: “The Prime Minister knew all he wanted to know. It was on him. It is on him now. He let his celebration down. He let his nation down. I very a lot doubt that both will belief him once more.”
week in the past15:17 Katie Harris
Tories blast Starmer
Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart insisted Sir Keir Starmer must be giving the Commons assertion.
He mentioned: “This entire enterprise is absolutely about transparency, and the very fact is that the Authorities’s needed to be dragged to do that by members on each side of this Home.
“And so to provide a 135-page doc and put it on-line 23 minutes earlier than this debate is absolutely not acceptable in any respect.
“I do respect the Chief Secretary coming and doing this himself, nevertheless it actually must be the Prime Minister sitting there, as a result of all of that is in regards to the Prime Minister’s judgment.
“And so it’s extremely handy that this doc was revealed after PMQs at this time, when the person who made the choice, the person whose judgment is in query, might have been put beneath scrutiny by honourable members.”
week in the past15:15 Katie Harris
Mandelson ‘ought to by no means have been appointed’
Lord Peter Mandelson “ought to by no means have been appointed”, Darren Jones mentioned.
In his assertion to the Commons, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister mentioned: “The victims of Epstein have lived with trauma that almost all of us can barely comprehend. They’ve needed to relive it many times, they usually have needed to see accountability delayed and too usually denied.
“We should all study this difficult lesson and a tradition which dismisses girls’s experiences far, far too usually and too simply, Peter Manderson ought to by no means have been appointed, and the Authorities will adjust to the common-or-garden tackle.”
He additionally mentioned the Authorities is “exploring whether or not the committee can tighten guidelines on lobbying and paid advocacy to convey the Lords consistent with the Commons procedures”.
Lord Peter Mandelson’s request for greater than £500,000 in severance pay was “inappropriate and unacceptable”, Darren Jones has mentioned.
The Cupboard Workplace minister informed MPs: “Because the paperwork present relating to his severance cost, Peter Mandelson initially requested a sum that was considerably bigger than the ultimate cost, not simply two and even 3 times, however greater than six instances the ultimate quantity.
“Even though he was withdrawn from Washington as a result of he had misplaced the arrogance of the Prime Minister, the Authorities clearly discovered that to be inappropriate and unacceptable. The settlement that was agreed was to keep away from even larger additional prices involving a drawn-out authorized declare on the employment tribunal.”
week in the past15:08 Jonathan Walker
Mandelson appointment ‘rushed’
Nationwide safety adviser Jonathan Powell mentioned after the peer’s sacking that he discovered the appointment course of “uncommon” and “weirdly rushed”.
In a cellphone name after Lord Mandelson was sacked, Mr Powell additionally “raised considerations in regards to the particular person and fame” to Sir Keir’s then-chief of employees Morgan McSweeney, the memo mentioned, however “MM responded that the problems had been addressed”.
Philip Barton, the then-Overseas Workplace everlasting under-secretary, “additionally had reservations across the appointment”, the memo mentioned.
week in the past14:38 Katie Harris
Lib Dems demand Mandelson donates severance cost
Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey mentioned: “It’s astonishing Mandelson obtained a payout even after his longstanding connections to Epstein had been found. These information present past doubt the Prime Minister was made nicely conscious of the dangers of his appointment. What an insult to the ladies and ladies who suffered at Epstein’s arms.
“The disgraced ambassador should donate any severance cost he obtained in full to charity.
“These are the primary paperwork in Britain’s Epstein information. The Authorities should now launch all paperwork referring to Andrew’s appointment as commerce envoy, secured by the Liberal Democrats, by the top of March.”
week in the past14:33 Katie Harris
Due diligence report did not expose ‘depth and extent’ of Epstein hyperlinks
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones informed MPs the due diligence report on Lord Peter Mandelson “didn’t expose the depth and extent” of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
He mentioned: “While the paperwork level to public studies of an ongoing relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, the recommendation didn’t expose the depth and extent of their relationship, which solely turned obvious after the discharge of additional information by Bloomberg after which the USA Division for Justice.
“After the Prime Minister reviewed the Cupboard Workplace due diligence, that famous public reporting on Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, questions had been put to Peter Mandelson by advisers in Quantity 10, and Peter Mandelson responded. These are issues which are presently the topic of an ongoing police investigation.”
(Picture: BBC ) week in the past14:32 Aaron Newbury
Mandelson delayed return to the UK so his canine might get a vet certificates
Mandelson expressed considerations over media consideration upon his return to the UK and urged he was delaying the return as his canine had not but bought a certificates from the vets.
In a single e-mail alternate he wrote: “My chief concern is leaving the US and arriving within the UK with the utmost dignity and minimal media intrusion which I believe is to the benefit of all involved, not least as a result of I stay a crown/civil servant and anticipate to be handled as such. How is the FCDO aiding on this?”
week in the past14:30 Aaron Newbury
Employees claimed Mandelson appointment was ‘weirdly rushed’
Nationwide Safety Advisor claimed Mandelson appointment was “weirdly rushed” the paperwork declare.
Jonathan Powell informed the Prime Minister’s Basic Counsel that he had raised considerations with Quantity 10 on the time.
Whitehall officers didn’t point out considerations about Mandelson’s connections to Epstein in an official letter despatched to His Majesty the King when asking for him to approve the appointment.
A letter proven within the information, despatched from to the Kings non-public secretary asking them to approve the appointment encloses a CV lauding the friends achievements in authorities and as a podcast host.
It doesn’t point out the friends hyperlinks to the convicted pedophile, nor any of his earlier scandals.
week in the past14:16 Aaron Newbury
Mandelson: ‘Epstein is younger and vibrant’
Mandelson described Epstein as “younger and vibrant” in 2002. In an e-mail despatched to Jonathan Powell the previous US Ambassador mentioned Epstein “has his finger on the heartbeat of many worldwide markers” and added “he’s secure (no matter meaning) and Clinton is now doing plenty of travelling with him”.
He went on to rearrange a gathering between Blair and Epstein.
week in the past14:12 Aaron Newbury
Mandelson arrange assembly between Epstein and Blair
Paperwork warn of assembly between Epstein and Blair ‘facilitated’ by Mandelson. They mentioned: “The Cupboard Workplace holds official information which are prone to be launched by the Nationwide Archives early subsequent 12 months, which relate to a Tony Blair assembly with Epstein that was facilitated by Mandelson.”
Right here is the recommendation Keir Starmer obtained in December 2024 when he was contemplating appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US:
Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
● A 2019 report commissioned by JPMorgan discovered that Epstein appeared to
“preserve a very shut relationship with Prince Andrew the Duke of
York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British
authorities”.
● The report cited Epstein’s private information which confirmed contact starting
in 2002 and persevering with all through the 2000s.
● After Epstein was first convicted of procuring an underage lady in 2008, their
relationship continued throughout 2009-2011, starting when Lord Mandelson
was Enterprise Minister and persevering with after the top of the Labour
authorities. Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein’s Home whereas he was
in jail in June 2009.
● In 2014 Mandelson additionally agreed to be a “founding citizen” of an ocean
conservation group based by Ghislaine Maxwell, and funded by Epstein.
● On reporting of the JP Morgan report, Lord Mandelson’s spokesperson mentioned
“Lord Mandelson very a lot regrets ever having been launched to Epstein.
This connection has been a matter of public file for a while. He by no means
had any form of skilled or enterprise relationship with Epstein in any
kind.”
● The Telegraph reported on these hyperlinks extensively in January 2024 –
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/information/2024/01/10/lord-mandelson-friendship-jeffr
ey-epstein-keir-starmer/
● A Labour Social gathering spokesperson has beforehand commented saying “There are
a complete vary of people who Keir Starmer talks to. Clearly he talks to
individuals who had been a part of the final Labour authorities, together with Peter
Mandelson.”
● The Cupboard Workplace holds official information which are prone to be launched by the
Nationwide Archives early subsequent 12 months, which relate to a Tony Blair assembly with
Epstein that was facilitated by Mandelson.
● To notice – basic reputational threat
week in the past14:11 Aaron Newbury
PM was warned of Epstein hyperlinks
An early doc seen by the Prime warned of in depth reporting on hyperlinks between Mandelson and the convicted American pedophile Jefffey Epstien.
Paperwork learn: “A 2019 report fee by JPMorgan discovered that Epstine appeared to ‘preserve a very shut relationship wth Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson’.
It goes on to say this was extensively lined within the press and suggested a ‘basic reputational threat’.
week in the past14:08 Aaron Newbury
Mandelson requested for £550,000 severance cost
Mandelson remains to be beneath investigation for allegations of misconduct in public workplace.
He denies any flawed doing.
Lord Mandelson was enterprise secretary beneath the final Labour authorities.
When he was eliminated as Ambassador he demanded a titanic severance cost of some £550,000, however this was denied.
week in the past14:07 Aaron Newbury
How did we get right here?
The paperwork had been launched after stress from parliamentarians who demanded full transparency from the Authorities.
Key information had been initially deliberate to be launched by Downing Avenue, however senior MPs together with Labour’s Angela Rayner demanded that the No 10 shouldn’t be capable of name the exhibits on what was launched.
Now a number of weeks later the paperwork, half 1 of them, might be seen for the primary time.
week in the past14:05 Jonathan Walker
Starmer WAS warned about Mandelson
Sir Keir Starmer was warned there was a “basic reputational threat” over Lord Peter Mandelson’s relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein earlier than giving him the position of ambassador to the US.
The Authorities has launched an preliminary batch of papers referring to Lord Mandelson’s appointment after MPs ordered the publication of the information.
A “due diligence” doc drawn up in December 2024 earlier than Lord Mandelson’s appointment to the Washington position famous a sequence of studies detailing his hyperlinks with Epstein.
The doc famous that after Epstein was first convicted of procuring an underage lady in 2008 “their relationship continued throughout 2009-2011, starting when Lord Mandelson was enterprise minister and persevering with after the top of the Labour authorities”, noting that “Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein’s home whereas he was in jail in June 2009”.
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week in the past14:05 Aaron Newbury
147 pages of Mandelson docs launched
The Authorities has launched a 147 web page doc of the primary tranch of information referring to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.
We’ll convey you all the newest.
(Picture: Getty)
We are actually trawling by a whole bunch of information within the Authorities launch and can convey you the newest right here.
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