Keir Starmer is set to face MPs at Prime Minister's Questions today, with mounting pressure over his controversial decision to appoint scandal-hit Peter Mandelson as Britain's Ambassador to the United States. The Labour leader's return to the Commons comes after a fortnight's absence, during which he embarked on a significant diplomatic trip to China.
Mandelson Scandal Dominates Westminster Agenda
A fierce row has erupted over Lord Mandelson's connections to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of new emails by the US Department of Justice last week. These documents have exposed the extent of their relationship, casting a shadow over Mandelson's political legacy.
The Labour veteran, who resigned from the House of Lords yesterday, now faces a police investigation. He is accused of leaking market-sensitive information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis, a serious allegation that has rocked the political establishment.
Details of the Epstein Files Revelation
The newly released emails appear to show that Lord Mandelson, while serving as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown in 2009, passed a sensitive UK government memo to Epstein. This document, authored by then-Prime Minister Brown's special adviser Nick Butler, outlined proposals for £20 billion in asset sales and detailed Labour's tax policy plans.
In additional email exchanges from the same period, Mandelson seemed to indicate he would lobby ministers regarding a tax on bankers' bonuses at Epstein's behest. The files also included photographs of Mandelson partially dressed alongside a woman in a bathrobe, among thousands of images released by US authorities.
Bank statements within the Epstein files suggest that Epstein sent two payments of $25,000 to Lord Mandelson in 2004, and another $25,000 to the account of Reinaldo Avila da Silva, now Mandelson's husband, in 2003. In response, Lord Mandelson has stated he has no recollection of receiving these sums and expressed regret over his association with Epstein.
Political Fallout and PMQs Showdown
It was confirmed this morning that Keir Starmer will release papers related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, a move aimed at addressing the growing controversy. However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to capitalise on the scandal during PMQs, ahead of a Conservative-led debate demanding further document disclosures.
This session marks Starmer's first PMQs in two weeks, following his absence due to a major visit to China—the first by a British Prime Minister in eight years. During the trip, Starmer secured agreements to ease visa requirements for Britons travelling to China and reduced tariffs on whisky, providing a £250 million boost to the industry over five years.
Additionally, Chinese sanctions against British MPs and peers were lifted after discussions with President Xi Jinping, and No. 10 indicated openness to a future state visit by the Chinese leader to Britain.
The Mandelson scandal continues to dominate headlines, with the police probe and political repercussions likely to unfold in the coming days, keeping Westminster on high alert.
