Blair-Era Power Broker's Enduring Influence in Starmer's Administration
The Prime Minister's most influential adviser delivered characteristically blunt counsel to the newly appointed US ambassador: "Get up the a*** of the White House and stay there." This unvarnished directive came from Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair's former chief of staff, to Sir Christopher Meyer during his tenure as Washington ambassador from 1997 to 2003.
Remarkably, Powell, now 69 and serving as National Security Adviser to Sir Keir Starmer for the past fifteen months, issued nearly identical instructions to Lord Mandelson when he assumed the Washington ambassadorial role last year. This revelation exposes the intricate web of relationships that continues to shape Labour Party politics decades after the Blair era.
A Cosy Circle of Political Allies
Labour's internal dynamics reveal what one senior MP described as "a cosy coterie of cronies." I can exclusively disclose that Mandelson personally advocated for his friend Morgan McSweeney, then Downing Street chief of staff, to appoint Powell in November 2024. Powell promptly returned the favor by championing Mandelson's appointment to the prestigious US diplomatic post, despite Mandelson's documented connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Mandelson appointment announcement followed just one month after Powell assumed his national security role in Starmer's administration. This timing has raised eyebrows across Westminster about the concentration of power among longtime political associates.
Decades of Political Partnership
Mandelson and Powell share a political history spanning more than a decade from the Blair government era. After Oxford University, Powell began his career in journalism at the BBC and Granada Television before his parents persuaded him to pursue what they considered "a proper job" at the Foreign Office. His rapid advancement led to a political officer position at the Washington embassy.
Powell demonstrated early political acumen by aligning with then-underdog Bill Clinton during Democratic primaries, leveraging their shared Oxford college connection. When Blair, already tipped as a future Labour leader, visited Washington with Mandelson in 1993, Powell facilitated the crucial introduction to Clinton.
The following year, Mandelson offered Powell the opportunity to become newly-elected Labour leader Blair's chief of staff, cementing their partnership as political soulmates who remain close friends to this day.
Northern Ireland Legacy and Controversial Connections
Powell's most significant achievement with Blair involved helping broker peace in Northern Ireland through secret negotiations with the IRA that culminated in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. He worked closely with Mandelson during this period, particularly when Mandelson served as Northern Ireland Secretary from 1999 to 2001.
In 2014, Mandelson publicly praised their "extremely close" relationship, noting: "After all, I had been instrumental in recruiting him to work for Tony Blair and we cooperated across the waterfront on political and policy matters throughout." He added: "I do not think that our relationship ever broke down during the entire period on any issue."
Ironically, Powell played a central role in the controversy that led to Mandelson's 2001 dismissal from his Northern Ireland position. Official documents reveal Powell instructed Mandelson to contact the billionaire Hinduja brothers "without delay" after they expressed willingness to donate £1 million to the Millennium Dome project, which Mandelson oversaw.
Epstein Connections and Current Influence
In May 2002, Mandelson urged Powell to arrange a meeting between Prime Minister Blair and his "friend" Jeffrey Epstein, describing the American financier as "an active scientific catalyst/entrepreneur" with his finger "on the pulse of many worldwide markets and currencies." The meeting occurred in Downing Street one week later.
A government spokesman maintained Powell merely forwarded the request in his capacity as chief of staff and "had no other role" in the arrangement.
Despite ongoing controversy surrounding Mandelson and calls from Labour MPs for his removal from party circles, Powell remains entrenched at Number 10. This contrasts with the departure of Mandelson protege Morgan McSweeney on Sunday, followed by communications chief Tim Allan, another Blair-era figure. Both Mandelson and Powell had lobbied Starmer to appoint Allan, with whom they had worked in 1990s Downing Street.
Foreign Policy Entanglements and Internal Tensions
Powell's supporters within government argue he must remain because he maintains Donald Trump's trust, with the former US president being a noted admirer of Tony Blair. Powell's influence is evident in Blair's appointment to Trump's Gaza "Board of Peace."
However, Labour insiders suggest a more compelling reason for Powell's continued presence: the demoralized state of Number 10 operations following Starmer's diminished authority and McSweeney's departure. "The atmosphere inside No 10 is fraught, absolutely terrible," one source revealed. "Everyone is looking over their shoulder, wondering who's next to go. Even the boss's allies know, deep down, Keir is a dead man walking."
Powell reportedly stays because he represents one of the few experienced crisis managers remaining. "Starmer needs him; there's no one else left. They will go down together," the source added.
Chagos Islands Controversy
Powell wields more foreign policy influence than any government figure except Starmer himself, particularly regarding the contentious transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius at an estimated cost of nearly £10 billion to British taxpayers. When advocating for Mandelson's US ambassadorship, Powell insisted Mandelson was uniquely positioned to persuade the White House to support surrendering the islands, which include the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base jointly operated by the US and UK.
Outgoing ambassador Dame Karen Pierce, who had been considered for continuing in the role, was privately dismayed by these developments. Many now question whether Mandelson had ulterior motives in pushing for the Chagos deal.
Baroness Hoey, former Labour minister, demanded transparency: "Important that all Mandelson notes, emails, messages relating to the Chagos deal whilst our ambassador to the US are made public." Conservative business spokesman Andrew Griffith added: "There is something deeply suspicious about how much effort the Starmer No 10 has put into giving away the Chagos Islands. Just as with Epstein, one day the truth will come out for the guilty parties."
Growing Discontent and Political Legacy
Even loyal Labour MPs view the Chagos agreement as humiliating, comparable to Starmer's recent China visit where he faced accusations of "kowtowing" to President Xi Jinping. Less than two weeks after that diplomatic encounter, Hong Kong-based British media tycoon Jimmy Lai received a twenty-year prison sentence for pro-democracy activities.
As one Labour MP summarized: "Chagos, grovelling to China and Peter Mandelson are Jonathan Powell's political legacy. He has to go." Yet when considering Downing Street's great survivor, observers suggest not to expect imminent changes. Powell's entrenched position reflects both his political durability and the current administration's dependence on experienced operators during turbulent times.
