The Labour Government has released the first batch of files relating to the appointment and subsequent dismissal of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.
In them, details are revealed concerning the circumstances of the New Labour architect’s ejection from Government, his connections to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and what Sir Keir Starmer knew ahead of giving him the diplomatic role.
Last month, the intense public scrutiny surrounding the scandal led to the PM being nearly ousted, the resignations of top Downing Street staff and the arrest of Lord Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
GB News explores the most significant finds from the latest documents.
The first batch of files relating to Peter Mandelson’s time as Britain’s ambassador to Washington have been released
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Keir Starmer was warned of Lord Mandelson’s Epstein links just months after entering Downing Street
Sir Keir was warned about Lord Mandelson’s links with Jeffrey Epstein in December 2024, just five months after Labour won power in July.
The newly released files include a document from a 2019 report commissioned by JPMorgan and Epstein’s personal records showing contact from as early as 2002.
The dossier read: “The Cabinet Office holds official records that are likely to be released by the National Archives early next year, which relate to a Tony Blair meeting with Epstein that was facilitated by Mandelson.”
The PM was told the topic brought “general reputational risk”.
One memo flagged the former Labour peer had remained in contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction in the US and had stayed at his New York townhouse the following year.
Keir Starmer was warned of Lord Mandelson’s Epstein links just months after entering Downing Street
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GOVERNMENT
Peter Mandelson’s appointment was ‘weirdly rushed’ and ‘unusual’
The Prime Minister’s National Security adviser, Jonathan Powell, regarded Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK Ambassador to the US as “weirdly rushed” and “unusual”.
Mr Powell described the New Labour titan’s appointment process as “unusual” and “weirdly rushed” in notes from a call taken between him and Sir Keir’s general counsel on September 12.
He was recorded as raising these concerns about the “individual and reputation” to the PM’s ex-Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney (MM).
It read: “MM responded that the issues had been addressed.”
Phillip Barton, the former Foreign Office Permanent Secretary, also put forward “concerns about the appointment”.
The New Labour architect’s appointment in the plum diplomatic role was described as ‘weirdly rushed’
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PAPeter Mandelson demanded a £500,000 payout
After leaving the post as ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson demanded a severance payment of more than £500,000.
He argued he should be compensated for the remainder of his contract in the role.
Forms to the Treasury show his full request numbered an eye-watering £547,201.
However, officials ultimately rejected the request and approved a much smaller settlement of £75,000.
Oliver Robbins, a top civil servant, described the reduced fee as “good value for money” in his request for payment to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, on October 6.
Lord Mandelson’s total remuneration package as UK Ambassador to the US was £180,252.
Peter Mandelson was offered ‘higher-tier’ security briefings before his vetting process finished
Emails released today appear to indicate Lord Mandelson was offered a “higher tiers” security briefing on January 6, even though his Developed Vetting clearance was not confirmed until January 29.
This suggests he was invited to receive a highly classified briefing from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in his role as incoming US ambassador before completing the full formal vetting process.
An email dated December 23 states the former Labour peer was scheduled to receive the briefing on January 6, and the same message refers to the ongoing vetting procedure.
A separate email dated January 30 appears to indicate that his Developed Vetting clearance was formally confirmed the previous day, January 29.
Lord Mandelson appeared to have been offered ‘higher tier briefings’ ahead of his vetting process finishing
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GOVERNMENT
Nigel Farage was floated as a US ‘bridgehead’ by Peter Mandelson
Nigel Farage was suggested as a potential “bridgehead” between the UK, US President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk.
His suggestion was raised as a concern as part of his vetting process for the role as US ambassador.
He said: “You can’t ignore him, he’s an elected member of parliament. He’s a public figure. He’s a bridgehead, both to President Trump and to Elon Musk and others,” the New Labour architect was recorded to have said.
“National interest is served in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways.”
Nigel Farage was floated by Peter Mandelson as useful in UK-US relations
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Peter Mandelson’s ‘chief concern’ was ‘maximum dignity’ after sacking
Upon his sacking as US ambassador, Peter Mandelson’s chief concern was preserving “maximum dignity” upon returning to the UK.
He also demanded “minimum media intrusion” in an email to HR at the Foreign Office.
The former Labour peer said it was to the “advantage of all concerned, not least because I remain a crown/civil servant and expect to be treated as such”.