Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken decisive action in response to shocking revelations about former business secretary Peter Mandelson's communications with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, Starmer expressed his profound dismay at the reported leaks of market-sensitive government information, describing the situation as deeply troubling for public trust in politics.
Immediate Police Referral and Legislative Action
The Cabinet Office has formally referred detailed email correspondence between Mandelson and Epstein to the Metropolitan Police for investigation. This follows the release of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice last Friday, which contained what officials describe as "likely market sensitive information" concerning the 2008 financial crash and subsequent government stabilization efforts.
Starmer informed his cabinet that he was "appalled" by the disclosures and has instructed officials to draft legislation that would strip Mandelson of his peerage "as quickly as possible." The prime minister emphasised the urgency of addressing this matter to restore public confidence in political institutions.
Compromised Government Safeguards
According to Starmer's spokesperson, only individuals operating in official government capacities had access to the confidential information that appears to have been compromised. These materials were subject to strict handling conditions designed to prevent financial exploitation by unauthorized parties.
The spokesperson elaborated: "The public don't really see individuals in this scandal, they see politicians. For the public to see politicians saying they can't recall receiving significant sums of money or not was just gobsmacking, causing them to lose faith in all politicians and weaken trust still further. The prime minister said that was why moving quickly in this matter was vital."
Epstein Email Revelations
Fresh disclosures from the Epstein files appear to show that Mandelson, who served as business secretary under Gordon Brown's government, sent multiple emails to Epstein containing confidential government information during the height of the global financial crisis. The emails reportedly included sensitive details about government responses to the economic turmoil that followed the 2008 crash.
Starmer's spokesperson confirmed that the Cabinet Office is conducting a comprehensive review of all information related to these documents. The initial assessment indicates that the safeguards protecting this sensitive information were compromised, potentially allowing individuals to benefit financially from the leaked intelligence.
Government Support for Investigations
During the cabinet meeting, Starmer assured ministers that "the government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance" is needed for ongoing inquiries into Mandelson's connections with Epstein. The prime minister told his cabinet that Mandelson had "let his country down" through his actions, which have raised serious questions about political integrity and the protection of state secrets.
The Metropolitan Police will now examine the referred material as part of their investigation into the Epstein connections, while parliamentary officials work on the legislative framework required to remove Mandelson from the House of Lords. This represents one of the most significant responses to the ongoing Epstein revelations within British political circles.
