Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his government will publish key documents relating to Peter Mandelson's controversial appointment as the United Kingdom's ambassador to Washington. This decision comes in response to mounting political pressure and a rapidly intensifying scandal surrounding the Labour veteran's connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Criminal Investigation Launched by Metropolitan Police
The development follows a significant announcement from Scotland Yard on Tuesday evening, confirming that a criminal investigation has been initiated into Lord Mandelson. The Metropolitan Police revealed they are examining allegations of misconduct in public office, specifically focusing on whether the former government minister passed market-sensitive information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis.
Commander Ella Marriott of the Metropolitan Police stated publicly: "Following the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice, the Met received a number of reports into alleged misconduct in public office including a referral from the UK Government. I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former Government Minister, for misconduct in public office offences."
Tory Pressure Forces Transparency Move
The Conservative opposition, led by Kemi Badenoch, had planned to use a rare parliamentary procedure known as a "humble address" motion to compel the government to release all relevant documentation. This would have included Cabinet Office due diligence reports that were presented to Number 10 at the time of Mandelson's appointment, materials submitted to the Foreign Office's vetting scheme, and correspondence between senior government aides and Lord Mandelson prior to his prestigious diplomatic posting.
In a preemptive move, the Starmer administration has tabled an amendment agreeing to release the requested information, with the notable exception of any papers that could potentially compromise national security or damage international relations. This represents a significant concession from a government that has faced accusations of insufficient transparency regarding the appointment process.
Labour Figures Express Profound Disappointment
Within Labour ranks, there is palpable anger and disappointment about Mandelson's alleged actions. Health Secretary Wes Streeting articulated this sentiment during an interview with Times Radio, stating: "You can see the outrage across the political spectrum and from people up and down our country. I cannot state strongly enough how bitterly that betrayal feels for those of us in the Labour Party who feel very personally let down."
Streeting further emphasised that Mandelson had not only betrayed two prime ministers but had also fundamentally betrayed the country, Epstein's victims, and the core values of public service that motivate political engagement. The Health Secretary acknowledged there were "clearly lessons to be learned, to put it mildly" about the vetting and appointment process that led to Mandelson's diplomatic role.
Mandelson's Rapid Fall from Grace
Lord Mandelson's tenure as ambassador to the United States proved remarkably brief. Appointed by Starmer in 2025 to one of the most coveted diplomatic positions in the British government, he was dismissed from the role just months later when his connections to Jeffrey Epstein became a matter of public concern and political controversy.
In a further development, Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords on Monday, effectively ending his formal political career. While he has not made any public statements since the police investigation was announced, BBC reports indicate that the former Labour peer maintains his innocence. According to these reports, Mandelson argues that he sought Epstein's financial expertise in the national interest during the 2008 crisis and denies acting criminally or for personal gain.
The government has issued a formal statement confirming their cooperation with law enforcement: "The government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need." As this complex political and legal drama continues to unfold, the publication of appointment documents represents just one facet of a scandal that has shaken Westminster and raised serious questions about due diligence processes at the highest levels of government.
