Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting criticism from MPs across the political spectrum over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, following revelations about Mandelson's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the US tech firm Palantir.
MPs have agreed that ministers must share documents relating to Mandelson's appointment with the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), after the government initially sought to retain the power to block publication on national security grounds. The concession came after pressure from senior Labour figures including Angela Rayner and Dame Meg Hillier.
Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward confirmed that the documents would not be released immediately but said it would happen "as soon as possible". He added that the Cabinet Secretary, working with independent lawyers, would handle the release, with no political involvement from ministers or Number 10.
The Metropolitan Police have asked Number 10 not to release certain documents, arguing it could undermine their investigation. However, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle stated that the Met has "no jurisdiction" over Parliament.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer admitted he knew Mandelson had remained friends with Epstein after the latter's conviction when he appointed him in December 2024. Campaigners are now demanding full transparency over Mandelson's role with Palantir, a company with UK government contracts worth over £500 million that provides military technology to Israel and AI-powered deportation tools for US immigration enforcement.
The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, is being urged to release information about Mandelson's involvement in arranging a visit for Starmer to Palantir's Washington DC showroom in February 2025, shortly after Mandelson became ambassador. Palantir's CEO Alex Karp later signed a strategic partnership with the UK Defence Secretary, and the Ministry of Defence awarded Palantir a £241 million contract in January.
