Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has revealed that he and then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed concerns that the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington could 'blow up'. Miliband told Sky News that he steered clear of Mandelson since becoming Labour leader in 2010 and agreed that Mandelson should never have been appointed due to his links with Jeffrey Epstein and his lobbying firm's ties to Chinese and Russian companies.
Mandelson was sacked after nine months following disclosures about his relationship with the late financier and child sex offender Epstein. The Guardian reported that Mandelson failed initial security vetting, which was overruled by the Foreign Office, leading to the sacking of permanent secretary Oliver Robbins. Robbins is expected to tell a select committee on Tuesday that he followed procedures and ensured Mandelson's appointment as desired by No 10.
Miliband said he was not directly asked for his views on the appointment, adding, 'I think people knew my view on Peter Mandelson.' He did not consider it a resigning matter for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that mistakes happen and that Starmer made a correct judgment on joining the war against Iran.
Labour MP Sarah Champion told BBC Radio 4 that a leadership challenge is 'the last thing we want' but acknowledged Starmer is deeply unpopular. She said people are more concerned about Iran and energy costs than the Mandelson affair, which reinforces the 'Westminster bubble' perception.
