The Government has released thousands of documents and messages detailing Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment and activities as ambassador to the United States. The files include a note from Mandelson to Foreign Secretary David Lammy stating that the Government would 'never regret' his appointment, with Downing Street calling the disclosure 'unprecedented transparency'.
Mandelson's WhatsApp Messages
The documents also reveal that Lord Mandelson 'declined to comply' with a request to hand over his personal WhatsApp messages and other information to the Government. The House of Commons ordered the publication of these documents following revelations about Lord Mandelson's connections to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Background and Aftermath
Mandelson was sacked in September 2025, just nine months into his role, after further details of his friendship with Epstein emerged, leading to a police investigation into alleged misconduct. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously stated, 'I should not have appointed Mandelson.' The full disclosure of documents and messages is expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Mandelson's appointment and his interactions with Epstein.
