Anas Sarwar is facing calls from the SNP to disclose all his private communications with Lord Peter Mandelson, following the former UK Government minister's resignation from the Labour Party. Scottish Labour leader Mr Sarwar had said it was 'right' that Lord Mandelson left the party after the latest revelations concerning his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
SNP Westminster deputy leader Pete Wishart challenged Mr Sarwar to come clean over his contacts with the peer, highlighting what he described as a 'deep and sustained friendship'. Mr Wishart said it was in the interests of the Scottish public and the integrity of public office that Mr Sarwar disclose all correspondence, including emails and private messages.
The SNP MP specifically demanded a 'full minute' of a meeting in April 2025, after which Mr Sarwar reportedly referred to Lord Mandelson as an 'old friend'. He also called for any information provided by Lord Mandelson to Mr Sarwar in October 2024 to be made public.
Mr Wishart urged Mr Sarwar not to protect Lord Mandelson, himself or the Labour Party any longer, insisting it was time to 'come clean' and disclose every detail. The comments came after Mr Sarwar accepted that 'huge questions' remained regarding Lord Mandelson's links to Epstein and that anyone called to give evidence in the US should do so.
Lord Mandelson resigned from Labour on Sunday night to prevent 'further embarrassment' after documents released in the US revealed email exchanges and payments totalling $75,000 from Epstein. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ordered a review of all available information regarding Mandelson's contacts with Epstein during his time as a minister, but has no power to strip him of his peerage.
