Starmer Confronts Mounting Labour Mutiny Over Mandelson Ambassador Appointment
Sir Keir Starmer's premiership is facing escalating pressure from within his own party, as Labour MPs express fury over his decision to approve Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as British ambassador to Washington. The controversy stems from Sir Keir's admission that he was aware of Lord Mandelson's ongoing friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein at the time of the appointment.
Parliamentary Showdown and Document Release
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir stated that Lord Mandelson had "lied repeatedly" about the extent of his relationship with Epstein. Initially, Downing Street attempted to control the release of potentially explosive documents detailing how the appointment decision was made. However, facing a significant rebellion led by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the Government was forced to back down.
Control over document disclosure was subsequently ceded to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, which will determine what information can be released to the public. While MPs approved the release of documents relating to the appointment, a minister indicated that publication would not be immediate, suggesting a timeline of weeks or months. This delay follows a request from the Metropolitan Police, who have asked the Government not to release materials that could "undermine" their ongoing criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson.
Internal Labour Party Backlash Intensifies
The scandal has triggered a substantial backlash from Sir Keir's own backbenchers. Labour MP Andy McDonald voiced profound concerns about the vetting process, stating it "beggars belief that we could ever get a security vetting process that would sign off affirmatively on somebody in these circumstances." He described Sir Keir's decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as "an appalling failure of judgment," given the information already publicly available.
Labour's Mainstream group, backed by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – often viewed as a potential leadership rival to Sir Keir – has called for a "clean break" following what they term the "betrayal" of appointing the peer to "one of the most powerful diplomatic posts on the planet." The centre-left grouping warned against the party succumbing to "the same old sickness" of elite privilege and toxic factionalism.
Questions Over Starmer's Political Future
The fallout has led to intensifying speculation about the Prime Minister's political longevity. Labour peer Lord John Hutton, a former Cabinet minister, suggested the handling of the scandal "could well mark the end of the Prime Minister's time in office." He expressed doubt that sacking chief of staff Morgan McSweeney would resolve the crisis, arguing that "the change has got to come from the very top."
Sir Keir plans to deliver a speech on Thursday, attempting to shift focus by accusing rival political parties of peddling "grievance." This comes ahead of a crucial by-election in Manchester and May's local and devolved parliamentary elections. However, the controversy continues to dominate political discourse.
New Revelations from Epstein Files
The latest release of documents from the so-called Epstein files appears to show Lord Mandelson passing potentially market-sensitive information to the financier in 2009, while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown's government. The files also suggest Lord Mandelson attempted to secure a Russian visa for Epstein, with email exchanges indicating he referred the matter to contacts believed to be Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, co-founder of his lobbying firm, and Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
Lord Mandelson, who has resigned from the House of Lords and the Labour Party, been removed from the Privy Council, and faces a criminal investigation, has yet to speak publicly. The BBC reports he maintains he did not act criminally and that his actions were not for personal gain, arguing he sought Epstein's expertise in the national interest prior to the financial crisis.
As Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch demands document release within "48 hours or so" and Housing Secretary Steve Reed prepares for difficult media rounds, the parliamentary Labour Party's anger towards the Prime Minister shows no signs of abating, casting a long shadow over Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.
