Intelligence Committee Defies No 10 Over Mandelson-Epstein Documents
The parliamentary committee investigating Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador has declared it will not shy away from publishing material that proves embarrassing to the government. Lord Beamish, chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), emphasised the need for maximum transparency regarding the vetting process Mandelson underwent before his December 2024 posting to Washington.
National Security Versus Political Embarrassment
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight, the Labour peer clarified the committee's remit. The ISC will assess whether documents should be withheld solely on national security grounds, rather than to protect international relations or avoid political discomfort. Beamish stated, "In the past, we've included material potentially embarrassing to governments when it doesn't jeopardise national security."
This stance directly challenges Downing Street's initial attempts to apply broader exemptions. On Wednesday, the government faced accusations of a cover-up after proposing to withhold documents for both national security and international relations reasons. Following backlash from MPs, whips were forced to draft a second amendment, passed Wednesday night, granting the ISC authority over release decisions.
Mounting Pressure on Starmer's Leadership
The controversy has ignited fury within Labour ranks, with some MPs warning that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's days in office are numbered. The crisis deepened after Starmer confirmed publicly that he was aware of reports linking Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein after the financier's conviction for child sex offences.
Labour MP Paula Barker expressed profound disappointment, telling Radio 4's Today programme she felt "sickened" by the revelations. While not explicitly calling for resignation, Barker questioned Starmer's judgment, stating he had "broken every pledge" made during his leadership campaign and had "a very long way to go to build trust."
Revelations and Recriminations
Further disclosures from the Epstein files suggest Mandelson offered assistance in obtaining a Russian visa for the disgraced financier. BBC News reports indicate Epstein intended to use the visa to meet young women in Moscow, though there is no evidence Mandelson knew his motives. Later emails suggest the trip was cancelled when the visa proved unobtainable.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed placed blame squarely on Mandelson, accusing him of having "conned everybody" through deception and manipulation. Reed defended Starmer and his team, asserting "the person at fault here is not the prime minister."
Police Intervention and Ongoing Investigations
Complicating matters, the Metropolitan Police prevented the government's planned Wednesday document release, citing potential prejudice to a criminal investigation into whether Mandelson shared confidential government documents with Epstein. No 10 has pledged compliance with police advice while proceeding with publication as swiftly as possible.
Tempers continued to flare at Westminster on Thursday, with the ISC's commitment to transparency contrasting sharply with government caution. The committee's determination to publish, regardless of political fallout, sets the stage for potentially damaging revelations about one of the most controversial diplomatic appointments in recent memory.
