MPs have agreed that ministers must share documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador with the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), after the government bowed to backbench pressure. The original proposal would have allowed ministers to block publication of papers deemed prejudicial to national security or international relations.
The change follows pressure from senior Labour MPs Angela Rayner and Dame Meg Hillier. Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward said the documents would not be released immediately but would be handed over “as soon as possible”.
The Metropolitan Police has asked No 10 to withhold certain documents, arguing their release could undermine its investigation. However, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said the Met had “no jurisdiction” over the Commons.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Keir Starmer confirmed that when he appointed Mandelson in December 2024, he knew the peer had remained friends with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's conviction.
Separately, campaigners have called for full transparency over Mandelson's involvement with Palantir, a US technology firm with UK government contracts worth more than £500m. Mandelson co-founded and part-owns the lobbying company Global Counsel, which also works for Palantir. The cabinet secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, is urged to release information about Mandelson's role in arranging Starmer's visit to Palantir's Washington showroom in February 2025, where they met chief executive Alex Karp. The Ministry of Defence later signed a £241m contract with Palantir.
Ward said documents would be released either through the Cabinet Secretary working with independent lawyers, or referred to the ISC if they conflict with national security or foreign relations. He stressed there would be “no political involvement” from ministers or Number 10.
