Sir Keir Starmer will chair a Cabinet meeting today as the fallout from the Peter Mandelson scandal continues to overshadow the Government. A trove of over 1,000 pages of documents released on Monday revealed the former US Ambassador’s criticism of the Prime Minister’s leadership, describing No10 as “beleaguered and bereft” and lacking “verve”.
The files also exposed messages from key Starmer ally Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, expressing frustration with Labour colleagues. In communications with Lord Mandelson, Mr McFadden voiced concerns about the PM’s position during last summer’s benefit cuts revolt, saying: “Lot of manoeuvring here this week. Angela, Gordon. Doesn’t feel good for Keir.” He also complained that Labour MPs were “asking the wrong questions” and focusing on taxing to fund benefits.
Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds defended Mr McFadden, calling him a “diligent, committed minister” and stating his views on welfare were “very well known and consistent”. Mr Thomas-Symonds also addressed the theft of his personal phone in October 2025, which he described as a “nightmare”, explaining that three individuals on mopeds swiped the device while he was walking near the Home Office.
The mood among Labour MPs was described as “flat” by one backbencher, with another telling the Mirror: “Telling us to put on a united front seems pointless when we’ve got messages from cabinet members out there for all to see saying how poor the government is.” The scandal comes amid an all-but-official leadership race, with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting vying to replace Sir Keir. Mr Burnham seized on the files, claiming they would “further damage people’s confidence in our political system”.
