Downing Street is set to release hundreds of documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US on Wednesday. The first tranche of files is expected to include a Cabinet Office due diligence report warning of 'reputational risk' over the former minister’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sources indicated the report had cautioned Prime Minister Keir Starmer about proceeding with Mandelson’s appointment in December 2024. Officials described the document as potentially 'very difficult' for Starmer, and his reported response—asking then-chief of staff Morgan McSweeney to seek an explanation from Mandelson—could be seen as 'completely inadequate'.
The released documents are the first batch of tens of thousands of files and are expected to contain information that was publicly available at the time, such as newspaper reports showing the extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein. They will also include correspondence between Cabinet Office, Downing Street, and Foreign Office officials.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones is expected to make a statement about the contents of the release after Prime Minister’s Questions. The government has agreed a framework with the Metropolitan police on which documents can be released without prejudicing the police investigation into Mandelson.
Nick Butler, a former special adviser to Gordon Brown whose correspondence was forwarded to Epstein by Mandelson, expressed regret over the lack of contrition from Mandelson. Mandelson, who resigned from his Washington role last September and later left the Labour party and House of Lords, has denied wrongdoing and apologised to Epstein’s victims.
