LONDON, June 1 - Britain’s government on Monday published a substantial collection of documents relating to the proposed appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, offering an unvarnished view of internal exchanges around his vetting and conduct.
The release comprises a 1,504-page file containing material the government says ranges from formal vetting emails to private WhatsApp messages. Officials framed the publication as an effort to address concerns about the appointment process and to show that Mandelson was not fully forthcoming about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Government correspondence included a March 31 letter requesting any information held on Mandelson’s personal phone as part of the investigation into his appointment and work. The government records indicate he declined to hand over that phone data.
Within the disclosed material are private messages that depict Mandelson - who had been dismissed twice from the cabinet under the administration of Tony Blair - maintaining frequent contact with figures inside the Labour party, advocating for his nomination and at times criticizing the government's approach.
One handwritten note dated November 18, 2024, addressed to then-foreign minister David Lammy, contains a direct pledge from Mandelson: "I just wanted you to know that if you were minded to appoint me (as ambassador), I would make sure you never regret it."
The files also record Mandelson using the term "tonto" to describe his reaction to the government’s delay in approving a personalised red ministerial box intended as a gift to U.S. President Donald Trump. Other messages show him telling senior minister Pat McFadden that he believed, "Keir is not leading from the front."
In that same exchange McFadden is quoted as warning Mandelson that the government was, in his view, "asking the wrong questions," adding that every meeting seemed to focus on "who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others."
Officials hope the document release will deflect some attention from questions about the prime minister’s judgment in selecting an envoy whose friendship with Epstein was already known to some. Nonetheless, the disclosures are unlikely to quell demands for accountability after Labour's poor showing in local elections last month.
The episode has already led to the departure of the prime minister’s closest aide and has become a focal point for criticism of the prime minister, who is described as facing a fight for his political future amid the prospect of a leadership challenge.
Mandelson is the subject of a police inquiry that is examining allegations he leaked government documents to the late Epstein. The published material notes explicitly that Mandelson is not accused of sexual misconduct.
An earlier batch of documents released in March had shown that Starmer had been warned about the risks associated with the appointment - concerns that included Mandelson’s links to Epstein and his advocacy for closer ties with China.
Looking ahead, the prime minister’s position could be further tested if Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham secures a parliamentary seat in the June 18 election, a result that could set up a possible leadership challenge later this year.
Summary
The government’s publication of a 1,504-page dossier on Peter Mandelson’s proposed ambassadorial appointment discloses private messages and vetting correspondence. The material shows Mandelson urging his case, criticizing the government, declining to provide requested phone records and acknowledging his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosures coincide with heightened scrutiny of Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid internal political turmoil.