Sir Keir Starmer was made aware of Lord Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him as US ambassador, senior civil servants have told MPs. The Cabinet Office provided the Prime Minister with a report summarising the reputational risks associated with Mandelson, including his prior relationship with the disgraced financier.
Chris Wormald, the Cabinet Secretary, told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that the report contained “direct extracts from media reporting” and noted a general reputational risk. He stressed the decision to proceed with the appointment ultimately rested with Starmer. The briefing also mentioned Mandelson’s role in arranging a 2002 meeting between Epstein and Tony Blair.
Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein was a matter of public record, including a stay at Epstein’s Manhattan flat in 2009 after his conviction. However, Wormald stated that the publication of previously unknown emails—in which Mandelson expressed support for Epstein and urged his early release—was a “gamechanger” that led to Mandelson’s resignation last month.
Both Wormald and Oliver Robbins, the Foreign Office permanent secretary, admitted that Starmer was not informed about the contents of these emails before Prime Minister’s Questions, where he expressed full support for Mandelson. Officials had only told Starmer of a media inquiry.
The government has since introduced new guidance for politically appointed ambassadors, including pre-appointment interviews with senior officials, to prevent a repeat of the scandal. Robbins declined to disclose whether Mandelson received a severance package after his termination.
