Peter Mandelson's unfiltered remarks about Keir Starmer's leadership have been made public in hundreds of pages of documents relating to his appointment as US ambassador. The files, which run to three volumes and more than 1,000 pages, include WhatsApp messages in which Mandelson criticised the prime minister's lack of 'verve' and tendency to buckle under pressure, suggesting he should behave in a more 'Trumpian' fashion.
In the messages, Mandelson described Starmer's No 10 operation as 'beleaguered and bereft'. The documents also reveal that Mandelson exchanged messages with Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, in which they discussed Tony Blair's controversial intervention on net zero. McFadden described Blair's comments as 'spot on', while Mandelson called Ed Miliband's response 'personal and stupid'.
The files also show that the Department for Business and Trade was 'cut out of conversations' about the US trade deal in May 2025 over concerns about leaks. Mandelson said the department was being 'irresponsible' in guiding papers to the press. The Cabinet Office subsequently started a leak inquiry.
Despite the strong criticism, some MPs may conclude that the overall revelations are less excruciating than feared. The government is also facing separate criticism over free speech after banning two leftwing US commentators from entering the UK.
