The SNP has called on Sir Keir Starmer to “stop the delays” and strip Peter Mandelson of his peerage and £75,000 “golden goodbye” payout. The demand comes as the Prime Minister faces questions from MPs following the release of thousands of documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
Previously released files show Lord Mandelson received a £75,000 payout after being sacked from the US role by Sir Keir over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said Scottish families are “paying the price for Starmer’s mistake”.
“Keir Starmer must stop the delays and act immediately to remove Peter Mandelson’s peerage and taxpayer-funded £75,000 golden goodbye pay-off,” Mr Doogan said. “Scottish taxpayers will be appalled to hear that the Labour Government has allowed Mandelson to retain his peerage and titles, and that taxpayers are still being forced to foot the bill for his pay-off and pension, despite everything we now know.”
New documents released on Monday revealed private messages between Lord Mandelson and senior ministers in which they admitted their frustrations with Sir Keir’s leadership. The Prime Minister has been under pressure since he sacked Lord Mandelson in September 2025 after leaked emails showed the peer sent supportive messages even as Epstein faced jail for sex offences.
While Lord Mandelson has voluntarily agreed not to attend the House of Lords, he retains his peerage and titles, which can only be removed if the UK Government passes legislation. A UK Government spokesperson said: “We have been clear that Peter Mandelson should not remain a peer. We have set out a clearer process to remove peerages in serious cases through the introduction of the Peerages Bill in the King’s Speech, under which Peter Mandelson will be in scope.”
