Downing Street has dismissed accusations that it concealed Keir Starmer’s role in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, after official documents showed no formal input from the prime minister. The government released 147 pages of files on Wednesday, which included advice to Starmer about the risks of the appointment, but left blank the boxes designated for his comments.
Speaking in Belfast on Thursday, Starmer admitted he had not known the extent of Mandelson’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but said he took responsibility for the decision. “It was me that made a mistake, and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of Epstein,” he said. Mandelson was sacked after nine months in the role once the details of his ties to Epstein emerged.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the blank sections suggested Starmer’s comments had been redacted. But No 10 officials insisted nothing was removed, and that the documents were final. They said Starmer most likely gave his view verbally to officials, despite protocol requiring such decisions to be recorded formally. The prime minister’s spokesperson rejected any suggestion of a cover-up and said the government had fully complied with the Commons motion ordering publication.
The documents also revealed that Jonathan Powell, Starmer’s national security adviser, described the appointment process as feeling “weirdly rushed”. No 10 acknowledged the vetting took place quickly, but said it was carried out under standard rules that allow an expedited process a limited number of times each year. It was also disclosed that Mandelson received secret briefings before his security vetting was completed, which officials said was automatic for senior MPs and peers with privy counsellor status.
Starmer and his ministers have said the episode exposed failings in the vetting and due diligence system, and have promised reforms. The spokesperson stressed that the prime minister was not seeking to avoid blame, adding: “He has acknowledged it was a mistake, and he has apologised.” Further releases of documents are expected in the coming weeks, with sensitive material to be removed first.
