Keir Starmer warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson, files show – National
Documents released Wednesday by the British government show officials believe there is a “risk” in appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador because of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave Mandelson the job anyway, but fired him nine months later when new details of the relationship with Epstein emerged. Starmer is now facing a political storm over the decision.
Concerns arose in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 when he was considering nominating Mandelson, who is seen as key to establishing good relations with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Advice to the prime minister from the chief of staff summarizes Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein over two decades, noting that “Mandelson was reportedly staying at Epstein’s house when he was arrested in June 2009” on sex charges involving a minor.
It also highlighted other, unrelated reputational issues related to Mandelson’s work in the previous Labor government – where he had to resign twice over financial matters – and his work at Global Counsel, the advocacy firm he co-founded.
Lawmakers forced Starmer’s government to release thousands of files about the decision to nominate Mandelson to a key diplomatic post early in Trump’s second term.
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, participates in Working Session III of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on July 11, 2024.
Chris Kleponis / Pool via CNP
Authorities published the first batch – more than 140 pages of documents – related to those commitments on a government website on Wednesday.
Darren Jones, the prime minister’s chief secretary, said Mandelson’s diligence “did not reveal the depth and extent” of his friendship with Epstein, and said Mandelson lied to Starmer about the friendship.
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“Peter Mandelson should not have been given the right to represent this country,” Jones told lawmakers in the House of Commons. “Once again I say to the Prime Minister that the prime minister regrets taking his word. It was a mistake to do that.”
These documents are published in batches after being reviewed by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. Police have asked the government not to release files that could interfere with their criminal investigation into Mandelson.
Documents published Wednesday note that Epstein was asked questions about his relationship with Epstein, and said the Prime Minister’s communications director was “satisfied with his answers.”
The answers themselves have not been published due to a police investigation.
Mandelson, 72, a former Cabinet minister, ambassador and ruling Labor Party elder, was arrested on February 23 at his London home on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has been released without bail as police inquiries continue.
He has previously denied wrongdoing and has not been charged. He is facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
Starmer fired Mandelson in September after documents were previously released showing he had been in contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction on sex charges involving a minor.
More details about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, revealed in a huge series of files published by the US Department of Justice in January, prompted opponents and even members of Starmer’s Labor Party to call for the prime minister to resign. Starmer survived the crash, but his position remains fragile, even though he never met Epstein and is not involved in his crimes.
The Epstein files suggest that Mandelson sent sensitive market information to a convicted sex offender while he was the UK government’s business secretary after the 2008 financial crisis. That includes an internal government report that discusses ways the UK can raise money, including selling government assets.
Mandelson appears to have told Epstein that he will lobby other members of the government to lower the tax on bankers’ bonuses.
Starmer apologized to Epstein’s victims and said he was sorry for “believing Mandelson’s lies.”
Mandelson also faces a separate investigation by the European Union’s anti-fraud office during his time as the agency’s trade representative.
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