The political future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer hangs in the balance as newly released files concerning his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador threaten to escalate a damaging scandal. Dubbed 'the Mandelson files', this collection of hundreds of documents is set to be scrutinised by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, following a forced Commons vote initiated by Kemi Badenoch.
Forced Disclosure and Parliamentary Scrutiny
In a significant parliamentary manoeuvre, Ms Badenoch, alongside mutinous Labour MPs, successfully passed a motion requiring the full disclosure of all papers related to Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024. This compelled the Prime Minister to order the publication of a trove of sensitive materials, despite his attempts to mitigate the release through vetting by Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald for national security concerns.
Sir Keir's intervention was swiftly criticised by Badenoch, who accused him of attempting to 'cover up' evidence of a 'catastrophic lack of judgment'. The motion ultimately passed without a vote, marking a notable climbdown for the Prime Minister and intensifying internal party tensions, notably with leadership rival Angela Rayner.
Content and Potential Damage of the Files
The Mandelson files are expected to include a wide array of compromising materials, such as private text exchanges between Sir Keir, his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, and Lord Mandelson. These communications may reveal the extent of Mandelson's disclosures regarding his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which Sir Keir has now admitted he was aware of at the time of the appointment.
Additional documents could detail negotiations around Mandelson's 'golden goodbye' payment following his sacking from the US posting last September, after emails surfaced showing he maintained ties with Epstein post-conviction. WhatsApp messages from private phones may also be included, further exposing the inner workings of the decision-making process.
Legal Investigations and Political Fallout
Complicating the release, the Metropolitan Police has warned against publishing material that could undermine its ongoing criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson's activities. Scotland Yard is examining whether emails, in which Mandelson allegedly sent market-sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure as Labour's business secretary, constitute misconduct in public office—a crime carrying a potential life sentence.
This scandal has severely weakened Sir Keir's authority, with rumours circulating in Westminster that some ministers are considering resignations to hasten his downfall. Senior MPs have ominously warned that the situation 'will not end well' for the Prime Minister, and former Cabinet minister Lord Hutton has suggested his time in power is nearing its end.
Committee Oversight and Future Implications
The cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee, chaired by a figure who has stated that 'embarrassment' alone is insufficient grounds for suppression, will now determine what material is released. While Downing Street sources downplay immediate publication, any delays or excessive redactions are likely to fuel further accusations of a cover-up, mirroring protracted processes seen in similar US cases.
If the files reveal that Sir Keir knew more about Mandelson's Epstein links than previously disclosed, it could prove fatal to his leadership. With his premiership under unprecedented strain, even typically loyal Labour figures are questioning his longevity, as the 'clock is ticking' on a crisis that threatens to define his tenure.
