Peter Mandelson criticised Sir Keir Starmer's leadership in private WhatsApp messages, describing the Prime Minister's No 10 operation as "beleaguered and bereft" and suggesting he adopt a more "Trumpian" approach, according to newly published documents.
The remarks were made in exchanges with a senior cabinet minister, Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary. The documents, running to more than 1,000 pages across three volumes, relate to Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. They also include criticism of Mr Starmer's lack of "verve" and his tendency to "buckle under pressure".
In the messages, Mr Mandelson and Mr McFadden discussed Tony Blair's controversial intervention on net zero. Mr McFadden described the former prime minister's comments as "spot on", though he added that their timing was wrong. Mr Mandelson was unimpressed by Ed Miliband's response, calling it "so personal and stupid".
Mr Mandelson also expressed concerns about energy policy, telling Mr McFadden that the government had not "clocked just how central energy supply and costs are to our economic future", particularly for AI and manufacturing. He also criticised the Department for Business and Trade over leaks during US trade negotiations, describing its behaviour as "irresponsible". Steph Driver, then No 10 communications director, agreed and said the department had been "cut out of conversations".
The release of the files has caused embarrassment for the government, though some MPs may conclude that the revelations are less excruciating than feared.
