Security Services Raised Concerns About Mandelson's Russian Connections
British intelligence agency MI6 received warnings more than fifteen years ago that Peter Mandelson could pose a security risk due to his associations with Russian intelligence figures, according to recent revelations. This disclosure significantly increases pressure on embattled Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer regarding his controversial decision to appoint Mandelson as Washington ambassador, despite the former minister's documented links to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
European Intelligence Warnings and Epstein Connections
Brussels intelligence sources have confirmed that European Union security services alerted their British counterparts in 2008 about Moscow's active targeting of Mandelson through his relationship with Kremlin-linked oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Furthermore, these sources revealed that security services had been monitoring Mandelson's association with Jeffrey Epstein since 2006, long before the full extent of Epstein's criminal activities became public knowledge.
Following these warnings, Mandelson underwent interviews with British security officials regarding the concerns raised about his international connections. The timing of these security alerts coincides with several controversial episodes in Mandelson's career, including his 2005 trip to Siberia where he participated in traditional banya sauna sessions with Deripaska, and the 2008 controversy surrounding his attendance at a party on the oligarch's luxury yacht moored off Corfu alongside then-shadow chancellor George Osborne.
Diplomatic Opposition and Political Fallout
American diplomatic sources have disclosed that Dame Karen Pierce, Britain's former ambassador to the United States, explicitly warned Number 10 Downing Street against appointing Mandelson as her successor. Pierce reportedly cautioned that Mandelson's "unsavoury" associations presented "too great a risk" for such a sensitive diplomatic position. These revelations have intensified demands from within the Labour Party for Sir Keir Starmer to step aside in favour of a caretaker prime minister, with calls for a full leadership contest to be conducted during the summer months.
Epstein's Russian Network and Intelligence Connections
Investigations into the Epstein files have uncovered multiple connections between the disgraced financier and Russian intelligence operations. Epstein obtained visas to enter Russia on at least seven occasions between 2002 and 2018, with one application indicating he was visiting an organisation associated with the FSB special forces unit Vympel. This organisation was founded by notorious KGB major Yuri Drozdov, who managed the Soviet "illegals" programme of sleeper agents operating in Western nations.
Documents reveal that Epstein cultivated relationships with several high-ranking Russian officials, including former minister Sergey Belyakov, a graduate of the FSB Academy spy school. Email correspondence shows Epstein asking Belyakov for assistance in dealing with a "Russian girl from Moscow" who was allegedly attempting to blackmail powerful New York businessmen, to which Belyakov offered his help.
Mandelson's Role as Intermediary
The files demonstrate how Epstein leveraged his relationship with Mandelson to establish connections with Russian oligarchs. In November 2010, Epstein emailed Mandelson inquiring about Deripaska's travel plans, asking whether the oligarch would be in Paris or Moscow. Three days later, Epstein's assistant contacted Deripaska's office directly, mentioning that Mandelson had provided the contact information. Additional correspondence shows Mandelson offering to help Epstein secure a Russian visa through Deripaska's connections when the financier encountered difficulties obtaining travel documentation.
Separate security sources from both the United Kingdom and United States have indicated that Mandelson received "significant funds" from sources linked to Russian intelligence for consultancy services. Moscow agents reportedly described him as "very greedy" and "always looking for money," though there is no suggestion Mandelson was aware any payments originated from Kremlin-linked sources.
Broader Intelligence Concerns
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie has revealed viewing a confidential United States intelligence report suggesting Russian intelligence developed "networks using figures such as Jeffrey Epstein for access to political and business leaders and to control any possible domestic law enforcement actions." The report specifically mentions that Prince Andrew was deliberately targeted by Russia using Epstein's sexual activities to establish compromising connections.
American intelligence experts believe Epstein was introduced to espionage through business dealings with disgraced media magnate Robert Maxwell, father of Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Both Epstein and Robert Maxwell died under circumstances that have raised questions and speculation within intelligence circles.
In response to these revelations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations, stating: "I would like to joke about such versions, but let's not waste our time." Mandelson's representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding the security service warnings and intelligence concerns about his international associations.
