Britain's government released a trove of documents on Monday related to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, shedding light on the often acerbic world of Westminster and the messy clearance process for the job. The Mandelson saga, which led to the departure of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's closest aide, has become a focal point for criticism of the prime minister, who is fighting for his political survival against a probable leadership challenge.
Document Dump Details
In a 1,504-page document, the government released messages ranging from vetting emails to personal WhatsApps, in a data dump it hopes will divert some attention from Starmer and show that Mandelson was less than forthcoming about his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. One document revealed that the government had written to Mandelson on March 31 requesting any information held on his personal phone as part of an investigation into his appointment and work, which he had declined to hand over.
Private Messages and Criticisms
Private messages from Mandelson, who was twice sacked from cabinet under former Prime Minister Tony Blair, show him regularly chatting with Labour insiders, pressing his case, and sometimes exchanging criticisms of the government. In a handwritten note to then-Foreign Minister David Lammy on November 18, 2024, Mandelson wrote: "I just wanted you to know that if you were minded to appoint me (as ambassador), I would make sure you never regret it." He also said he went "tonto" over the government's failure to immediately approve a personalized red ministerial box as a gift to U.S. President Donald Trump, using slang for going crazy. He took a swipe at Starmer, telling senior minister Pat McFadden he believed "Keir is not leading from the front." In the same exchange, McFadden told Mandelson the government was "asking the wrong questions," saying that every meeting was about "who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others."
Government Hopes and Political Fallout
The government hopes the release of the documents and messages will put an end to questions surrounding Starmer's judgment in appointing a man whose friendship with Epstein was known. However, they are unlikely to silence calls for the prime minister to step down after Labour lost in local elections last month. Mandelson is under police investigation for allegedly leaking government documents to the late Epstein. He does not face allegations of sexual misconduct. An initial tranche of documents was released in March, showing Starmer was warned of the risks of the appointment, not just over Mandelson's ties to Epstein but also because of the Labour veteran's support for closer ties with China.
Leadership Challenge Ahead
Starmer now faces a possible leadership challenge later this year if his main rival, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, wins a seat in parliament in an election on June 18.
