Labour Aide Who Approved Mandelson's US Ambassador Role Later Forced Out Over Paedophile Links
Newly released government files have exposed that the Labour aide who approved Lord Peter Mandelson's controversial appointment as UK ambassador to the United States was subsequently suspended from the party over his own connections to a convicted paedophile. This revelation casts a shadow over Prime Minister Keir Starmer's handling of the sensitive diplomatic posting, which has already faced intense scrutiny.
Starmer's Minimal Role in Mandelson Appointment
Documents made public this week confirm that Prime Minister Keir Starmer played a remarkably limited role in the appointment process. Despite being presented with explicit evidence detailing Mandelson's ongoing friendship with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction for child-sex offences, Starmer did not personally interview Mandelson before granting him the prestigious position. Senior officials had issued warnings, yet the Prime Minister delegated the vetting to his aides.
Lord Doyle's Central Role and Subsequent Suspension
The individual who ultimately signed off on Mandelson's appointment was Lord Doyle, Sir Keir Starmer's former communications director. Lord Doyle, a close associate of Mandelson for over two decades, approved the appointment after reportedly being satisfied with Mandelson's responses during the vetting process. However, last month, Lord Doyle was suspended from the Labour Party under investigation after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of Sean Morton, a former Scottish Labour councillor convicted for possessing indecent images of children.
Lord Doyle has since apologised unreservedly for his support of Morton, claiming Morton maintained his innocence at the time. This suspension has drawn parallels to the Mandelson case, with critics noting both involve figures linked to paedophiles.
Political Fallout and Accusations of Dereliction of Duty
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Starmer, accusing him of a total dereliction of duty for not meeting Mandelson before the appointment. Badenoch stated, Starmer likes to tell everyone how much of a hot-shot lawyer he was, yet he was handed a dossier clearly showing Mandelson's close links to Epstein and didn't even bother to interrogate the man he was about to appoint to high office.
Downing Street defended the Prime Minister's actions, asserting there was no requirement for him to personally interview Mandelson. However, the released files indicate that Starmer was warned in writing about Mandelson's particularly close friendship with Epstein, which continued for years after Epstein's conviction.
Vetting Process and Unanswered Questions
The vetting process was primarily handled by Lord Doyle and Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's then-chief of staff. McSweeney, who resigned last month over his involvement, stated he questioned Mandelson about his continued contact with Epstein, stays at Epstein's properties, and associations with charities linked to Ghislaine Maxwell, who is imprisoned for child sex trafficking.
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed Mandelson lied in his answers, with further details about their friendship only emerging months later. Mandelson denies this, maintaining his responses were honest and not misleading. The exchange between McSweeney and Mandelson remains undisclosed due to concerns it could prejudice ongoing investigations.
Broader Connections and Ongoing Investigations
The files also reveal that Lord Doyle socialised with Mandelson in December 2024, the same month the ambassador appointment was approved. Both have long-standing ties from their time in Sir Tony Blair's government. Additionally, Lord Doyle attended dinners at Global Counsel, Mandelson's now-closed lobbying firm.
Lord Doyle resigned from his Downing Street role in March last year amid criticism of the government's communications strategy. He was later granted a life peerage in December, but forced to resign from the Labour Party whip over the Morton links. Sir Keir has faced criticism for awarding the peerage despite awareness of Doyle's connection to Morton.
Meanwhile, Lord Mandelson is under investigation after emails suggested he shared confidential information about Gordon Brown's government with Epstein. He denies any wrongdoing. The Prime Minister has cited a police investigation into Mandelson as a reason for withholding further details, including Mandelson's full responses to Epstein-related questions.
This unfolding scandal highlights significant lapses in judgment and oversight within the Labour Party, threatening to undermine public trust in the Prime Minister's leadership and the integrity of high-level appointments.
