Keir Starmer has demanded Peter Mandelson resign from the House of Lords and called for modernisation of disciplinary procedures to allow peers to be stripped of their titles. The Prime Minister's official spokesperson said Starmer believes Mandelson should not be a member of the Lords or use the title, but the Prime Minister does not have the power to remove him.
The demand follows the release of US Department of Justice documents showing that Mandelson, as business secretary in 2009, shared confidential UK tax plans with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The emails reveal Mandelson forwarded a government document outlining £20bn in asset sales and tax policy plans, and told Epstein he was 'trying hard' to change policy on bankers' bonuses at his request.
Mandelson was sacked as UK ambassador to Washington last year over his relationship with Epstein. He resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday night, saying he wanted to avoid causing 'further embarrassment'. Labour confirmed disciplinary action was already underway.
Downing Street said Mandelson should testify before the US Congress inquiry into the Epstein files if called. Government insiders hope Mandelson will voluntarily resign from the Lords, but No 10 has received no assurances. The Lords conduct committee may be asked to consider recommendations on easier removal of peerages.
Labour promised in its manifesto to make it easier to remove rogue peers but has taken no steps yet. Removing a specific peer would require primary legislation, with no precedent since the First World War.
