Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has launched a forceful parliamentary offensive demanding the immediate release of all documents relating to Sir Keir Starmer's controversial appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. This dramatic escalation follows explosive new revelations about Lord Mandelson's connections to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Parliamentary Showdown Over Vetting Process
The Conservative Party intends to table a humble address motion on Wednesday, deploying this rare parliamentary mechanism to compel the government to produce all relevant documentation. Mrs Badenoch has accused the Prime Minister of bypassing normal procedures to appoint "a man who is a close friend of a convicted paedophile," claiming legitimate concerns were deliberately "waived away" for political convenience.
Documents Under Scrutiny
The motion will demand publication of multiple sensitive documents including the Cabinet Office's due diligence work, email correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney regarding Epstein associations, minutes from appointment meetings, and details of payments made to Lord Mandelson upon his departure from the Washington role. Humble addresses, if successfully passed, carry binding authority over government ministers.
Mrs Badenoch told broadcasters: "What we're going to do is use a rare parliamentary mechanism called a humble address, which is to force the Government to release all of the papers that explain how this vetting, or non-vetting as we believe, took place."
Criminal Investigation Intensifies Pressure
The political confrontation unfolds against the backdrop of a Metropolitan Police criminal investigation launched on Tuesday evening into allegations that Lord Mandelson leaked highly-sensitive market information to Epstein while serving in Gordon Brown's Labour administration. Newly released files from US authorities appear to show the peer passing confidential material to the disgraced financier.
Mrs Badenoch stated that while the police investigation was "right," Sir Keir Starmer "himself should be answering questions about how this happened." When questioned whether police should interview the Prime Minister, she responded: "I think the police will make that call. But if there is evidence that shows that there is something to do with the Prime Minister, then, of course, yes."
Cross-Party Appeal for Transparency
In a direct appeal to Labour backbenchers, Mrs Badenoch argued that MPs "need to do what they know is right," emphasising that "this is about the reputation of our Parliament and our country." She expressed hope that "MPs of all parties, and especially those in Labour, will join us in fighting for the truth, for full justice for Epstein's victims and for openness and honesty with the British people."
There is growing speculation that some Labour MPs might defy the government whip by abstaining, reflecting significant backbench anger over the Mandelson appointment controversy.
Downing Street's Conditional Response
Number 10 has added a significant amendment to the humble address motion, agreeing to publish documents but with the crucial caveat "except papers prejudicial to UK national security or international relations." This qualification appears on the Commons order paper and could potentially limit the scope of any document release.
A government spokesperson maintained: "The government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need."
Targeting Key Advisers
Mrs Badenoch also directed criticism at Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir's chief of staff, describing him as a "close protege" of Lord Mandelson "whose fingerprints are all over this ... national embarrassment." She accused him of facilitating what she termed the "plum job" appointment in Washington despite the peer's controversial associations.
The Conservative leader concluded with a pointed challenge to the Prime Minister's leadership: "If the Prime Minister had a backbone, he'd allow his MPs to vote with their conscience and put their country before their party."
