A senior Labour cabinet minister has defended the initial decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington, describing it as a "rational" choice at the time, even as he condemned the former peer for lying about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Reed's Justification for the Appointment
Housing Secretary Steve Reed, a close ally of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, insisted that based on the information available when the appointment was made, selecting Lord Mandelson made logical sense. Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Reed explained the government's reasoning at that moment.
"He made out they barely knew each other. If that was what you believed at the time, and we needed to appoint an ambassador to carry out a trade deal with the United States, then it was rational, given Peter Mandelson's experience as EU Trade Commissioner and UK Trade Secretary, it was rational to appoint him," Mr Reed stated.
The Extent of the Deception
However, Mr Reed was unequivocal in his criticism of Lord Mandelson's conduct, revealing that the former ambassador had deceived not just the Prime Minister but the entire Downing Street team about the nature of his connection to the disgraced billionaire.
"He lied about the extent of his relationship," Mr Reed emphasised, adding that Lord Mandelson had "conned everybody" and betrayed the country through his actions. The cabinet minister told Sky News that the Labour veteran had manipulated and deceived everyone, including media outlets where he frequently appeared.
Starmer's Decisive Action
Mr Reed stressed that what truly matters is how the government responded once the truth emerged about Lord Mandelson's ties to Epstein. He praised Prime Minister Starmer's handling of the situation, highlighting the swift action taken once the full extent of the relationship became clear.
"What matters is what you do when you find out what's gone wrong. And the Prime Minister couldn't have been more decisive. He sacked Peter Mandelson at 5am in the morning as US ambassador months ago," Mr Reed told Sky News.
Personal Impact and Government Fallout
The Housing Secretary revealed his personal reaction to learning about Lord Mandelson's dealings with Epstein from documents released by US authorities, saying he felt like he had "been punched in the stomach."
Meanwhile, Downing Street continues to battle the political fallout from the scandal, with fresh revelations creating ongoing difficulties for the government. The Prime Minister faced pressure from MPs, led by Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, regarding the release of files concerning Lord Mandelson's appointment process.
Leadership Positions Secure
Despite mounting anger over the situation, Mr Reed insisted that both Prime Minister Starmer and his chief-of-staff, Morgan McSweeney, remain secure in their positions. When pressed on BBC Breakfast about whether the Prime Minister's role was under threat, Mr Reed responded firmly: "Of course it is."
He redirected blame squarely toward Lord Mandelson, stating: "What's gone here is Peter Mandelson - we now know - has lied to absolutely everybody." Mr Reed maintained that the fault lies entirely with the former ambassador rather than with the Prime Minister or his team.
Mandelson's Response and Ongoing Investigation
Lord Mandelson has not made any public statements since police launched their investigation into the matter. However, the former Labour peer has maintained through representatives that he has not acted criminally, did not seek personal gain from his actions, and intends to cooperate fully with police inquiries.
The scandal continues to create tension within Labour ranks, with one party source describing the mood as "really bad" and comparing the situation to "walking on thin ice" that feels "a bit like a powder keg." The government faces ongoing challenges in containing the political damage as revelations continue to emerge about the Labour veteran's connections.
