Labour grandee Lord Peter Mandelson has been dramatically ousted from a key party role following revelations he engaged in private lobbying over Brexit for a corporate client.
The former Business Secretary was dismissed from Labour's industrial strategy panel after The Mirror exposed he had privately urged the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, to protect the interests of a financial services client.
This intervention occurred while Lord Mandelson was simultaneously serving on the Labour panel shaping the party's official Brexit policy—a position critics have labelled a "clear conflict of interest."
A Breach of Trust
Lord Mandelson confirmed the meeting with Mr. Barnier in Brussels but insisted his client's interests were "complementary" to the UK's national interest. He stated his advice was to ensure the City of London retained its competitive edge against European rivals like Frankfurt and Paris.
However, a senior Labour source was unequivocal: "This is a clear conflict of interest. Peter is meant to be helping us develop policy for the whole country, not using his role to open doors for his business clients. He's been asked to leave the panel."
The Fallout and Reaction
The dismissal sent shockwaves through Westminster, highlighting the ongoing tension within Labour over its Brexit stance. Lord Mandelson is a renowned pro-EU figure and co-founder of the pro-Remain campaign group, Best for Britain.
His removal underscores leader Keir Starmer's efforts to present a unified front and distance the party from any perceived impropriety. The incident raises fresh questions about the influence of private lobbying on British politics and the revolving door between high office and lucrative commercial consultancies.
