Labour Leader Faces Mounting Pressure Over Peer's Epstein Connections
Sir Keir Starmer is facing significant difficulties in managing the escalating controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson, as he has publicly pledged his support for a police investigation into the alleged leaking of government secrets. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is examining claims that the former Cabinet minister committed misconduct in public office by forwarding market sensitive emails from Number Ten to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
MPs Demand Removal of Peerage and Privy Council Status
Meanwhile, Members of Parliament are intensifying their demands for Sir Keir to find a mechanism to strip Lord Mandelson of his peerage and remove him from the Privy Council, the body that advises the monarch. This pressure comes despite the New Labour architect, who was appointed as US ambassador by the Prime Minister just over a year ago, expressing defiance in a recent interview. Lord Mandelson has insisted he was merely too trusting of Epstein and has denied that his career in public service has reached its conclusion.
Epstein Files Reveal Extensive Communications and Financial Links
The remarkably close relationship between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, which persisted long after Epstein was imprisoned for sex offences, has been further illuminated following the latest release of evidence by United States authorities. Journalists have been meticulously examining more than three million newly disclosed documents, with Lord Mandelson's name appearing nearly six thousand times within the files.
These documents appear to demonstrate that the peer transmitted highly confidential advice provided to then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown during the peak of the Credit Crunch. The communications included emails with key Downing Street aides and ministers, discussing proposed £20 billion asset sales intended to stabilise the nation's finances, alongside Labour's tax policy strategies. Such information would have held considerable value for banks and financial institutions.
Sensitive Government Information Allegedly Shared
One particular document was forwarded by Lord Mandelson to Epstein with the accompanying remark: Interesting note that's gone to the PM. Another email, part of the vast trove released by the US Department of Justice, shows Lord Mandelson providing Epstein with advance notice of a €500 billion Eurozone bailout. This early warning could have enabled the paedophile financier to profit before the deal was officially announced the following day.
Additionally, Lord Mandelson is alleged to have tipped off his friend the night before Gordon Brown resigned from Number Ten. The evidence cache also includes bank statements that seem to indicate Epstein sent Lord Mandelson tens of thousands of dollars between 2003 and 2004, although the peer has cast doubt on their authenticity.
Further Controversies and Political Repercussions
The disgraced financier, who died by suicide in prison, also appears to have assisted Lord Mandelson in securing a lucrative position after he left government and paid £10,000 for his partner Reinaldo to undertake an osteopathy course. Despite these revelations, Lord Mandelson maintains that nothing in the files demonstrates he has broken any laws.
A visibly angry Gordon Brown stated yesterday that he has requested the Cabinet Secretary to investigate the disclosure of confidential and market sensitive information from the former Business Department during the global financial crisis. He also revealed that on September 10th last year, the same day Sir Keir expressed confidence in Lord Mandelson amidst the resurging Epstein scandal, he wrote to the Cabinet Secretary calling for an inquiry into the peer. After a two-month wait, he was informed that no records could be located, leading Mr Brown to question the intensity of efforts to identify any wrongdoing.
Calls for Constitutional Sanctions Intensify
Baroness Harman has now added her voice to demands for Lord Mandelson to be removed from the Privy Council and barred from returning to the House of Lords. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she expressed her belief that Labour's manifesto commitment to eject disgraced members from the House of Lords will be acted upon. She added: In the meantime, I think the Prime Minister could be advising the King to stop him from being a privy counsellor.
Other MPs have insisted that Sir Keir must enact legislation to revoke Lord Mandelson's peerage, a measure that has been rarely employed. Lord Mandelson is currently on a voluntary leave of absence from the House of Lords and has resigned his membership of the Labour Party.
Scrutiny Extends to Starmer's Inner Circle
Sir Keir's chief of staff and closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, is now under intense scrutiny regarding his role in advocating for Lord Mandelson's ill-fated appointment as US ambassador. The Metropolitan Police has received referrals from both Reform UK and the Scottish National Party, urging detectives to investigate the peer, who resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday to avoid causing further embarrassment.
The force confirmed last night that detectives are reviewing these referrals to determine whether they meet the criminal threshold for a formal investigation. A Government spokesman stated: It is rightly for the police to determine whether to investigate and the Government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need.
Downing Street earlier indicated that Sir Keir has asked Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald to conduct an urgent review, examining all available information concerning Mandelson's contacts with Epstein during his tenure as a government minister.
Mandelson's Defiant Stance and Future Intentions
In an interview with The Times published last night, Lord Mandelson claimed he was too trusting of Epstein, whom he described as muck that you can't get off your shoe… Like dog muck, the smell never goes away. However, he made it clear he has no intention of retreating from public life, stating: Hiding under a rock would be a disproportionate response to a handful of misguided historical emails, which I regret sending.
He further asserted that none of the Epstein files indicate any wrongdoing or misdemeanour on his part, as he refused to provide evidence to a US Congressional inquiry. The political and legal storm surrounding these allegations continues to gather momentum, presenting a significant challenge for the Labour leadership.
