Internal government records indicate the British prime minister was briefed on reputational risks tied to Peter Mandelson’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein prior to confirming the diplomatic post.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A newly released set of internal United Kingdom government documents indicates Prime Minister Keir Starmer was informed about Peter Mandelson’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before appointing the longtime Labour figure as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
The documents, part of a recently disclosed collection of internal communications and background materials, show that officials conducted a due diligence review of Mandelson prior to his appointment to the diplomatic position in Washington. Details from the review were reported by Sky News.
According to the background report provided to the prime minister, Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction for procuring an underage girl for prostitution. The review stated that the relationship between the two men continued between 2009 and 2011, including a period when Mandelson served as the United Kingdom’s business secretary during the final years of the Labour government.
“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,” the report said.
The briefing document also included a specific reference to Mandelson’s presence at Epstein’s residence during that period.
“Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein’s House while he was in jail in June 2009,” the report given to the prime minister added.
The review warned of potential reputational concerns associated with Mandelson’s appointment due to his previously documented relationship with Epstein.
Officials said there was a “general reputational risk” in placing Mandelson in a prominent diplomatic position because of the association.
Further caution was expressed by then–cabinet secretary Simon Case, who advised the prime minister that the appointment could carry political consequences because of the personal relationship between Starmer and Mandelson.
Case wrote that while Mandelson’s experience and relationship with Starmer might offer advantages, the close association between the two could create greater exposure if controversy emerged.
“If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally,” Case warned.
Despite these warnings, internal records indicate that the appointment process continued and moved forward quickly.
According to the documents, Starmer’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell described the process surrounding Mandelson’s appointment as “weirdly rushed.”
The records indicate Powell raised concerns with the prime minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, regarding Mandelson’s selection for the diplomatic role. McSweeney reportedly responded that the concerns surrounding Mandelson had already been addressed.
The documents also indicate that McSweeney was aware of Mandelson’s past interactions with Epstein but continued to advocate for his appointment.
McSweeney later resigned from his position as chief of staff in February amid controversy surrounding newly disclosed information in files released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Epstein.
The former aide had previously led an anti-Breitbart media monitoring and censorship initiative before joining Starmer’s government.
Additional allegations referenced in the broader controversy include claims that Mandelson may have shared classified financial information with Epstein during the 2008 global financial crisis. Mandelson is currently under police investigation in connection with those allegations.
The latest document release has intensified political pressure on the British prime minister, with calls for his resignation coming from multiple political figures across the ideological spectrum.
Among those calling for Starmer to step down are Green Party leader Zack Polanski, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform UK Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf.
Yusuf said, “I would say that Keir Starmer should resign… It’s clear he’s prime minister in name only.”
Badenoch also criticized the decision to appoint Mandelson, saying in remarks reported by Sky News that the documents demonstrate the prime minister should have “never made this decision” and describing him as “unfit” to lead the country.
Government officials say additional documents related to the matter are expected to be released.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said the government intends to make further materials public in another batch of disclosures.
“Our intention is to publish the rest of those documents in that second tranche as quickly as we can,” Jones said.
The continuing release of records related to the appointment has prolonged political scrutiny of the decision and intensified debate within the United Kingdom over the handling of the diplomatic nomination.
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