Sir Keir Starmer will chair a Cabinet meeting this morning as the fallout from the Peter Mandelson files continues to overshadow the Government. The released documents, comprising over 1,000 pages, revealed that the former US Ambassador described No10 as “beleaguered and bereft” and criticised the Prime Minister for lacking “verve”.
The files also exposed private messages from Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, expressing frustration with Labour colleagues. In communications with Lord Mandelson, Mr McFadden voiced concerns about the PM’s position during last summer’s benefit cuts revolt, stating: “Lot of manoeuvring here this week. Angela, Gordon. Doesn’t feel good for Keir.” He also complained that Labour MPs were focused on taxing to fund benefits, saying they were “asking the wrong questions”.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Paymaster General, defended Mr McFadden, describing him as a “diligent, committed minister” and noting that his views on welfare were “consistent”. Meanwhile, Mr Thomas-Symonds faced questions about his stolen phone, which meant his messages were absent from the Mandelson files. He recounted the incident, which occurred on his wife’s birthday in October 2025, as a “nightmare”.
The mood among Labour MPs was described as “flat” on Monday, with one backbencher telling the Mirror: “Telling us to put on a united front seems pointless when we've got messages from cabinet members out there for all to see saying how poor the government is. It's just a waiting game now.” The revelations come amid an unofficial leadership race, with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting positioning themselves to replace Sir Keir.
