Released UK files reveal concerns over Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned of risks in making Mr Peter Mandelson Britain’s ambassador to Washington, documents released on March 11 showed, reviving questions about his judgment in appointing a man close to Jeffrey Epstein.

The publication of the first tranche of documents covering the vetting of Mr Mandelson, who is under police investigation for allegedly leaking government documents to the late sex offender, does little to reduce the pressure on Mr Starmer, who is under fire over the appointment and a series of policy U-turns.

The more than 100 pages of documents suggested concerns were raised about the “reputational risks” in appointing Mr Mandelson because of his friendship with Epstein but also over his previous resignations from government and his support for closer ties with China.

Mr Starmer sacked Mr Mandelson from what is considered the most prestigious posting in Britain’s diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with the convicted sex offender started to become clear.

Concerns about ‘reputational risks’

After ceding to pressure from the opposition Conservative Party in February to release the documents, the government published the first tranche but suggested more revealing exchanges could not yet be produced due to the police investigation.

A document labelled “Advice to the prime minister, checks conducted on 4 December, 2024”, said: “After Epstein was first convicted of procuring an underage girl in 2008, their relationship continued across 2009-2011, beginning when Lord Mandelson was business minister and continuing after the end of the Labour government. Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein’s house while he was in jail in June 2009.”

In a summary of a fact-finding call between Mr Starmer’s general counsel and national security adviser Jonathan Powell in September, a document said Mr Powell had found the appointment process “weirdly rushed”.

Mr Powell said he had concerns about Mr Mandelson’s “reputation” in conversations with Mr Starmer’s then chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Another document dated Dec 11, 2024, said Mr Starmer’s director of communications was happy with Mr Mandelson's responses to questions about his relationship with Epstein.

More documents to come

Despite Mr Starmer’s defence that Mr Mandelson had lied to him over the extent of his relationship with Epstein, some opposition lawmakers said in Parliament that the documents showed the prime minister had known about their ties for some time.

“We’re supposed to believe that the prime minister, who was once the chief prosecutor in this country, couldn't see through this nonsense,” Conservative lawmaker Alex Burghart said. “It beggars belief.”

Several lawmakers expressed shock over Mr Mandelson’s demands for severance pay. He had asked for £547,201 (S$934,000) in compensation after being fired but was given £75,000, in what the government described as a “reasonable settlement”.

Further documents will be released at a later date, papers which the prime minister’s team say will prove Mr Mandelson lied to Mr Starmer about the extent of his relationship with Epstein before his appointment as ambassador in December 2024. Mr Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones told Parliament that the government had learnt lessons from the appointment and had taken steps “to address weaknesses in the system”.

Mr Mandelson, a government minister when Labour was previously in power more than 15 years ago, quit the House of Lords, the Upper House of Parliament, in February over his links to Epstein.

He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, and later released on bail.

Files released by the US Justice Department in January included e-mails suggesting Mr Mandelson had leaked government documents to Epstein, and that the convicted offender had recorded payments to Mr Mandelson or his then-partner, now husband.

Mr Mandelson has said he does not recall having received payments. He has not commented publicly on allegations he leaked documents, and did not respond to messages seeking comment. REUTERS