Lord Mandelson’s files set to be made public following PMQs, enabling Starmer to avoid interrogation
The government is poised to lift the lid on one of its most damaging political crises this afternoon, with the publication of thousands of documents detailing how Lord Peter Mandelson was vetted and appointed as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.
Cabinet minister Darren Jones, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, is expected to deliver a statement to MPs after Prime Minister’s Questions, with the first batch of papers released online simultaneously. The move follows a parliamentary order last month demanding full transparency over the affair, which has ignited questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment and the integrity of the appointments system.
A “Masterstroke” That Unravelled
Lord Mandelson’s appointment in December 2024 was, to supporters, a political “masterstroke”. An unusual political pick for a key diplomatic post, the veteran Labour fixer was seen as a potent weapon to navigate a potential second Trump presidency and boost UK interests through his extensive network.
To secure the role, he underwent a rigorous two-stage vetting process. The first was a “due diligence” check by the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team, which compiled a report for Number 10 flagging reputational risks and outstanding questions. Central to these was information already in the public domain about Mandelson’s friendship with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, including stays at Epstein’s homes and the maintenance of their relationship after Epstein’s release from prison in 2008.
Sir Keir Starmer himself reviewed this file and, according to sources, put three specific questions to Mandelson about his Epstein ties. Despite this, Mandelson progressed to the second stage: “developed vetting” (DV). This secretive and intrusive security clearance, described by a former MI6 chief as “thorough” and “intimate”, probes an individual’s finances, personal relationships, and susceptibility to coercion.
“Lies” and a Swift Fall from Grace
That vetting has since been utterly discredited. The ambassador was sacked just eight months into the job, in September 2025, after new US Department of Justice files shed further light on his Epstein links. Sir Keir Starmer has stated publicly that Mandelson “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship during the appointments process. Downing Street sources have claimed Mandelson “misrepresented his relationship with Epstein” and “utterly misled the prime minister”, who has expressed regret over the appointment.
The scandal then escalated dramatically into a criminal investigation. On 23 February 2026, Lord Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Metropolitan Police investigation, triggered by government-passed communications, is examining allegations that he leaked market-sensitive government information and Downing Street emails to Jeffrey Epstein. Emails suggest Mandelson shared details of government policy and potential bailouts with Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis.
After being questioned and having his properties searched, Mandelson was initially released on bail. He has since been released under investigation, with his bail conditions lifted and his passport returned, indicating he is no longer considered a flight risk.
A Fight for Transparency and Political Fallout
With pressure mounting, MPs last month passed a “humble address” motion, a powerful parliamentary tool, to force the government to disclose all documents related to the appointment. The demand covers a vast range of material, including correspondence between the Cabinet Office, Downing Street and the Foreign Office concerning Mandelson, and emails between the peer and senior government figures.
The government initially sought to redact material on grounds of national security, but faced a backlash from its own Labour backbenchers. It subsequently conceded that Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) would have the final say on what is withheld. The ISC has confirmed it has agreed a framework with the Metropolitan Police to ensure the release does not compromise the ongoing criminal inquiry.
Conservative critics have seized on the timing of today’s publication, accusing Sir Keir of scheduling it after PMQs to dodge direct questioning. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart stated: “It’s no wonder the Prime Minister wants to dodge questions. His fingers are all over this.” He added that Sir Keir had “already admitted that he knew about Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein when he appointed him.”
The released documents are expected to include the initial due diligence report that warned of “reputational risk”. For a Prime Minister who pledged “urgency and transparency”, and for a government stung by a scandal stretching from the cabinet table to a police station, the pages published this afternoon will make for exceptionally uncomfortable reading.
