MPs Secure Release of Mandelson Appointment Papers in Epstein Scandal Fallout
Members of Parliament have voted to compel the Government to release all documents pertaining to Lord Peter Mandelson's controversial appointment as British ambassador to the United States. This decision follows intense political pressure and represents a significant climbdown by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who initially resisted full transparency.
Security Committee Given Key Role in Document Review
Under mounting pressure from Labour backbenchers led by former deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Sir Keir Starmer abandoned his original plan to have top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald determine which documents could be withheld. Instead, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) will now assess material that might compromise national security or international relations.
Minister Chris Ward informed the Commons that while the documents would not be released immediately due to Metropolitan Police concerns, publication would proceed "as quickly as possible" according to established parliamentary procedures. He noted that similar humble address motions have historically taken "weeks or months" to complete given the volume of material involved.
Mandelson's Epstein Connections Central to Controversy
The political storm centres on Lord Mandelson's longstanding association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Sir Keir Starmer confirmed to Parliament that he was aware of the peer's friendship with Epstein when appointing him to the prestigious Washington diplomatic post in 2024, but stated Mandelson had "lied repeatedly" about the extent of their relationship.
Lord Mandelson, a political appointee rather than career diplomat, was dismissed from his ambassadorial role in September last year once the full nature of his Epstein connections became untenable. His continued association with the disgraced financier following Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor had been publicly documented before his return to frontline politics.
Police Intervention and Parliamentary Authority
The Metropolitan Police have requested the Government withhold "certain documents" that might compromise their ongoing investigation into the peer. However, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle emphasised that police have "no jurisdiction" over parliamentary proceedings, stating firmly that "they cannot dictate to this House."
The Conservative Party had tabled a humble address motion demanding release of all papers relating to Mandelson's appointment, including due diligence conducted by the Cabinet Office and correspondence between Mandelson and Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
Broader Allegations and Political Fallout
Recent documents released as part of the US Department of Justice's Epstein Files have raised fresh concerns about Mandelson's conduct. These appear to show him sharing potentially market-sensitive information with Epstein in 2009 while serving as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for the European Anti-Fraud Office to investigate Mandelson's tenure as EU Trade Commissioner from 2004 to 2008, citing "potential fraud, corruption and ethics violations" based on files suggesting he leaked details of the EU's Greek bailout before official announcement.
Since the latest Epstein document release, Lord Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party and quit the House of Lords. While maintaining through BBC sources that he acted in the national interest and committed no crimes, Downing Street has pledged to publish documents revealing what they term Mandelson's "unforgivable" deception.
A Government spokesperson stated: "We will comply with the motion, including publishing documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment, which will show the lies he told." The Cabinet Secretary will oversee document release in consultation with legal teams, with sensitive material referred to the ISC for final determination.
