Labour MPs Rebel Against Starmer Over Mandelson Vetting Documents Row
Sir Keir Starmer is confronting a significant Labour Party rebellion today over what critics are calling a "cover-up" regarding the release of vetting documents concerning Lord Mandelson. The Prime Minister insisted during a bruising Prime Minister's Questions session that not all documents relating to the former Cabinet minister's appointment as US ambassador can be fully disclosed to the public.
National Security Exemptions Spark Outrage
Sir Keir confirmed that Lord Mandelson would be legally stripped of his title and removed from the privy council, stating the former minister had "lied throughout the process" of his ambassadorial appointment. While pledging to publish details, the Prime Minister stressed that certain information must be withheld for "national security" and "international relations" reasons, adding that police had requested material that could prejudice their investigation be held back.
The government has bowed to Conservative demands to publish extensive material about the disgraced former ambassador, fearing defeat in a crucial Commons vote. However, Sir Keir is attempting to add a national security exemption to this commitment, potentially allowing ministers to withhold sensitive documents. Labour MPs are openly declaring this adjustment unacceptable, arguing it would enable the government to "mark its own homework."
Police Investigation and Political Fallout
The political drama unfolds as the Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Lord Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a Cabinet minister. The Cabinet Office passed material to police after reviewing documents released by the US Department of Justice, finding they contained "likely market-sensitive information" with compromised official handling safeguards.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Sir Keir during PMQs, demanding Downing Street explain the vetting process and claiming concerns were "waved away" to facilitate "a political appointment of a man who is a close friend of a convicted paedophile."
Parliamentary Showdown Looms
The Conservatives have tabled a humble address motion, an arcane parliamentary mechanism designed to compel the government to release documents including due diligence work by the Cabinet Office, emails between the PM's chief of staff and Lord Mandelson regarding his Epstein association, and minutes of appointment meetings. These motions, if passed, are binding on ministers.
Labour MP Andy McDonald told Sky News he would likely vote with the Conservatives, calling the national security amendment "a nonsense because it just is a way of not revealing information" and warning it would "throw a cloak over the entire Mandelson affair."
International Dimensions and Denials
The controversy has international dimensions, with Poland launching a probe into whether Epstein was a Russian spy. British intelligence experts have suggested it was "very likely" he was sharing compromising material with the KGB.
Lord Mandelson has denied that evidence released by the US government shows he broke the law. The New Labour architect is stepping down from the Lords today after Sir Keir threatened legislation to remove him. He will retain his title unless laws change and insists his public life career continues.
Labour Discontent and Betrayal Claims
Cabinet minister Wes Streeting confirmed papers about Lord Mandelson's vetting would be published, expressing a sense of betrayal about the peer's actions and stating he no longer regards him as a friend. Streeting told Times Radio: "I cannot state strongly enough how bitterly that betrayal feels for those of us in the Labour Party who feel very personally let down."
He added that Mandelson had betrayed "two prime ministers, our country and Epstein's victims" while fundamentally betraying Labour values of "public service and national interest, not self-service and self-interest."
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said he provided the Met with "relevant" information about Lord Mandelson's "inexcusable and unpatriotic act" and suggested Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald hadn't fully heeded his request to examine communications between Mandelson and Epstein.
The Prime Minister's spokesman responded that Brown's letter specifically concerned Royal Bank of Scotland asset sales to JP Morgan, and the Cabinet Secretary found no files linking Epstein to that sale. A government spokesman stated: "The Government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need."
