Government Ordered to Release All Mandelson Communications in Epstein Scandal
Senior government figures will be compelled to hand over their private messages with Peter Mandelson ahead of the publication of files concerning Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador, despite his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Transparency Push Amid Leadership Crisis
The government plans to release Mandelson's vetting documents, hoping that transparency will help Sir Keir Starmer navigate the escalating political storm threatening his premiership. This follows the prime minister's public apology to victims of Epstein for the controversial appointment.
On Wednesday, the prime minister relinquished control to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), allowing them to determine which materials should be withheld from public release based on national security considerations.
Scope of Requested Materials
In a detailed letter to the prime minister on Thursday, the committee outlined the extensive scope of materials it expects the government to surrender. This includes all electronic communications and minutes from every meeting between Mandelson and ministers, government officials, and special advisers during his tenure as US ambassador.
Migration Minister Mike Tapp revealed on Friday morning that he had not yet been asked to submit his communications with the former Labour peer, but confirmed he had corresponded with Mandelson. "I haven't been asked," he told BBC Breakfast. "But I have had communication with Lord Mandelson, and that was after my first morning round as a minister, where I refused to defend him, and he sent me his resignation letter."
Tapp added pointedly: "So I'm probably not in his good books, and I don't care, because we don't need people like that in government or around government in any way, shape or form."
Publication Timeline Uncertain
The ISC indicated in its correspondence that it expects the government to present the papers to the House "very shortly," but cautioned that it cannot commit to a specific timetable for reviewing the documents. The committee demanded that ministers provide a clear date for submitting materials and a "logical rationale" for withholding any documents deemed prejudicial to UK national security or international relations.
However, the committee explicitly stated it cannot establish a publication date "until we know the size of the task at hand," suggesting the volume of communications could be substantial.
Starmer's Defense Strategy
Sir Keir Starmer hopes the release of vetting documents will demonstrate that he was deliberately "misled" by Mandelson prior to the ambassador appointment. The prime minister has faced intense criticism from within his own party regarding his handling of the situation, though he maintains: "None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship."
James Lyons, No 10's former communications director, warned that additional government figures could become implicated if forced to surrender their private messages with Mandelson. "I don't think anyone can understate the gravity of the situation," Lyons told BBC Newsnight. "We've seen with the Covid inquiry how a huge amount of stuff can be thrown up through that. I think this is at least the biggest scandal since the expenses scandal of 2009."
Internal Labour Pressure Mounts
The escalating situation has prompted Labour grandee Harriet Harman to issue a stark warning to Sir Keir, suggesting he must take decisive action or risk losing his position. Baroness Harman told Sky News: "I think it is so serious for Keir Starmer. I don't think it's inevitable that it will bring him down."
Speculation continues regarding the future of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, with some Labour MPs publicly calling for his dismissal. McSweeney faces accusations from numerous Labour MPs of advocating for his ally Lord Mandelson's appointment and facilitating his return to the heart of a Labour government.
Paula Barker, Labour vice-chair of both the standards committee and the privileges committee, criticized Sir Keir's "questionable" judgment throughout the saga, stating: "When your chief of staff becomes the story, then often it's time for them to go."
On Thursday, the prime minister formally apologized to Epstein's victims for believing Mandelson's "lies" and awarding him the prestigious Washington position, as the political fallout continues to intensify across Westminster.
