Sir Keir Starmer could face renewed pressure as further files related to the Peter Mandelson scandal are expected to be released as early as next week. The prime minister has been under constant scrutiny since appointing Lord Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, a decision that led to the peer's sacking last September over links to Jeffrey Epstein.
MPs ordered the government to publish documents connected to the appointment in February, but only a handful have been released so far. According to Sky News, the Intelligence and Security Committee is expected to announce the release of additional files, which could come next week, unless they are deemed prejudicial to national security or international relations.
Lord Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and the House of Lords in March after fresh emails and photographs emerged in the US Epstein files. He was arrested in late February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he leaked sensitive information to Epstein while serving as business secretary under Gordon Brown.
The scandal has hurt Labour in local elections, with Sadiq Khan warning the “omnishambles” could lead to heavy losses. The party faced defeats in London and historic strongholds, prompting almost 100 Labour MPs to call for Starmer’s resignation. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reportedly preparing a leadership challenge, while former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has been cleared of wrongdoing in her tax affairs.
The further release of Mandelson files threatens to pile pressure on Starmer and potentially implicate leadership challengers. Streeting admitted last month he failed to take reports of Mandelson’s links to Epstein seriously in 2023, and has faced questions over their friendship.
