Rayner Alerted Starmer on Mandelson's Epstein Ties as Police Probe Intensifies
Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, explicitly warned Sir Keir Starmer against appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador in 2024, citing grave concerns over his associations with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. This revelation, reported by The Times, emerges amidst a Metropolitan Police investigation into alleged misconduct in public office, which has seen officers search Mandelson's properties in Wiltshire and Camden, north London.
Police Execute Searches Amid Mounting Political Pressure
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that addresses linked to the 72-year-old peer were searched on Friday evening, with officers seen departing his London residence carrying boxes of evidence. The force stated that the alleged offences involve a man of that age, emphasising that no arrests have been made. This probe follows referrals, including one from the government, alleging misconduct related to Mandelson's public duties.
In response, the government has affirmed its readiness to provide full support to the police investigation. The scrutiny intensifies as newly released emails from the Epstein files suggest Mandelson shared sensitive government memos with Epstein in 2009 and provided advance notice of a major EU bailout in 2010.
Starmer's Leadership Under Fire as Party Divisions Surface
Sir Keir Starmer is facing escalating pressure from within the Labour Party to resign as prime minister over his decision to appoint Mandelson, despite prior warnings. Labour backbencher Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, publicly declared that Starmer's position is "irredeemable," urging him to consider stepping down for the stability of the country and party.
Starmer has apologised for believing Mandelson's "lies" during the vetting process and pledged to hand over relevant documents to parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee. However, he noted that a "significant volume of material" requires review before release, aiming to prove Mandelson misrepresented his Epstein ties.
Brown Expresses Regret and Highlights Leadership Crisis
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has voiced deep regret over bringing Mandelson into office, fearing potential "huge commercial damage." Brown described Starmer's situation as "serious," criticising the slow response to the scandal, yet he defended Starmer as a "man of integrity" betrayed by Mandelson. This echoes broader concerns about ethical lapses in government.
Mandelson, who resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday and quit the House of Lords on Tuesday, has not commented on the allegations. His resignation followed Starmer dismissing him as US ambassador last September, though he remained in the party until recently.
Internal Party Dynamics and Broader Implications
The scandal has exposed rifts within Labour, with allies of Angela Rayner speculating that health secretary Wes Streeting could face "guilt by association" due to his mentorship by Mandelson. Meanwhile, Starmer faces additional scrutiny over an undocumented visit to Palantir's showroom with Mandelson, raising questions about transparency and defence contracts.
As polls indicate Starmer's unpopularity with the public, the combination of police actions, internal dissent, and historical Epstein links threatens to undermine his leadership, with calls for accountability growing louder across the political spectrum.
