Starmer overruled warning of 'reputational risk' over Mandelson appointment, files show [View all]
Source: The Guardian
Keir Starmer overruled officials who warned of a “reputational risk” in making Peter Mandelson US ambassador, despite being handed a dossier of evidence about the peer’s relationship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, documents reveal.
The disclosure in newly released files will raise fresh questions about Starmer’s judgment – as well as about the vetting procedures at the highest levels of government.
The files show that Mandelson was offered a highly classified briefing from the Foreign Office even before he finished the formal vetting process.
They also show that two of the government’s most senior security and foreign policy officials – national security adviser Jonathan Powell and FCDO permanent secretary Philip Barton – raised concerns about Mandelson’s appointment due to his involvement in previous public scandals.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/11/starmer-overruled-warning-of-reputational-risk-over-mandelson-appointment-files-show
One of the problems was that 2 close allies of Mandelson - Matthew Doyle (then Starmer's communications chief) and Morgan McSweeney (then Starmer's chief of staff) vouched for him, and Starmer took their word that Mandelson was OK. Both have since been sacked/resigned before they were pushed:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/11/downing-street-unaware-aide-matthew-doyle-links-to-paedophile-when-given-peerage
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/26/morgan-mcsweeney-labour-together-electoral-commission-no-evidence-other-offences
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/08/peter-mandelson-payoff-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-ambassadoruk-politics-live-news-updates
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