New Legislation to Remove Mandelson's Peerage Title Announced for Post-Recess Period
A significant new law designed to strip former Labour minister Peter Mandelson of his peerage title will be formally introduced immediately following the upcoming Commons recess, a senior government minister has confirmed. This legislative action comes in direct response to the escalating scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson's connections to the convicted billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which has triggered a Metropolitan Police investigation and intense political pressure.
Resignation from Lords Fails to Remove Peerage Under Current Rules
Despite Lord Mandelson's resignation from the House of Lords last week, current parliamentary regulations permit him to retain his peerage title indefinitely. This technicality has fueled public outrage and political demands for reform, particularly in light of his controversial appointment as the United Kingdom's ambassador to Washington—a decision that has severely destabilised Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration.
In a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday, Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward outlined the government's timeline, stating: "On legislation to strip Lord Mandelson of his peerage—and broader reform of the House of Lords and removal—that will come forward as soon as possible. It will be in government time... and we will bring that forward after the recess." The parliamentary recess is scheduled to conclude after February 23, with the bill expected to be published upon MPs' return.
Government Pledges Full Transparency with Document Publication
Minister Ward further committed to publishing all crucial documents related to Lord Mandelson's diplomatic appointment to Washington "as soon as possible." Government officials are currently reviewing tens of thousands of documents, which will subsequently be handed over to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee for scrutiny. These documents are anticipated to include WhatsApp exchanges between government officials and Lord Mandelson during the period of his appointment, shedding light on the decision-making process.
Mr Ward emphasised: "The government will comply fully and publish documents as soon as possible. Government departments have been instructed to retain any material that may be relevant and work is underway to identify documents that fall in scope of the motion."
Health Secretary Releases Private Messages Amid Relationship Scrutiny
In a related development, Health Secretary Wes Streeting took the extraordinary step of publishing private messages exchanged with Lord Mandelson earlier this week, aiming to counteract allegations and "smear and innuendo" regarding their relationship. The messages, obtained by Sky News, reveal candid admissions from Mr Streeting, including fears about his electoral prospects, criticisms of the government's economic strategy, and strong views on international conflicts.
Mr Streeting defended his actions, telling Sky News that he had "nothing to hide," and the release was intended to preempt further political attacks. This move underscores the deepening ramifications of the Mandelson scandal across multiple government departments.
Mandelson Expresses Profound Regret Over Epstein Association
Over the weekend, representatives for Lord Mandelson issued a statement expressing his profound remorse, noting: "Lord Mandelson regrets, and will regret until his dying day, that he believed Epstein's lies about his criminality. Lord Mandelson did not discover the truth about Epstein until after his death in 2019. He is profoundly sorry that powerless and vulnerable women and girls were not given the protection they deserved."
As the government prepares to advance the peerage-stripping legislation, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and transparency, with the forthcoming documents and legal reforms poised to address the ongoing political and ethical challenges posed by this high-profile case.
