Angela Rayner spearheaded a Labour revolt against Sir Keir Starmer over the release of documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the United States. The former deputy prime minister demanded that Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) oversee which papers are withheld from public disclosure on national security or international relations grounds.
Rayner’s intervention came as MPs debated a Conservative motion ordering the release of all papers concerning Lord Mandelson’s appointment. The government had tabled an amendment to keep back documents deemed prejudicial to security or international relations, but Rayner argued the ISC should have a role in maintaining “public confidence” in the scrutiny process.
Within hours, Downing Street capitulated. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds confirmed that the ISC would determine what material is redacted. The move followed mounting pressure from Labour backbenchers, including Dame Meg Hillier and Clive Efford, who backed Rayner’s call for independent oversight.
The row erupted after Starmer accused Lord Mandelson of leaking market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary. The prime minister also revealed that the King had removed Mandelson from the Privy Council. The Metropolitan Police subsequently launched a criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.
Starmer is fighting to contain the fallout, with warnings that poor local election results could trigger a leadership challenge. The government’s climbdown on the document release process is seen as an attempt to defuse the crisis.
