All articles tagged with #mandelson
British police arrested Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the United States, on suspicion of misconduct in public office over alleged disclosures to Jeffrey Epstein, as documents from the Epstein files fuel political fallout in the UK.
Former British minister and former UK ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was arrested in London on suspicion of misconduct in public office as investigators probe his links to Jeffrey Epstein and possible leaks of market-sensitive information from the 2009–2010 financial crisis.
Peter Mandelson, the 72-year-old former Labour minister and ex-UK ambassador, was arrested at a Camden address on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Met Police say he was taken to a London police station for interview after searches at Wiltshire and Camden properties, with police-CPS discussions ongoing. The case is linked to Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and the government says it still plans to publish related documents in due course, while Mandelson maintains he acted appropriately during vetting.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit over the Mandelson US ambassadorship and Epstein links, but cabinet ministers publicly back Starmer as No.10 aides resign, signaling ongoing leadership tensions while reforms to the appointments process are discussed ahead of PLP meetings.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces renewed calls to resign after newly released Epstein-related documents link former ambassador Peter Mandelson to Epstein; with Mandelson under scrutiny and calls for resignation growing, Starmer’s Cabinet publicly backs him as he prepares to brief Labour lawmakers behind closed doors, while replacement candidates and the possibility of a leadership challenge loom ahead of his duties at the Munich Security Conference.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urges Keir Starmer to quit amid Epstein-related fallout as Starmer's communications chief and chief of staff resign; Mandelson's ties to Epstein draw scrutiny, while some Labour figures back the prime minister.
Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's long-time chief of staff, has resigned after backing Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK ambassador to Washington, leaving the prime minister exposed and prompting questions about Starmer's leadership as backbenchers weigh their next moves; McSweeney's deputies Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson will act as his successors.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces renewed scrutiny after chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigns over advising the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington despite Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein. Coverage across major papers frames the move as a leadership test for Starmer, with lingering questions about Labour’s direction and potential leadership challenges as the party heads into upcoming by-elections and internal scrutiny.
Former Liverpool MP Peter Kilfoyle says Tony Blair’s 1994 Labour leadership bid involved Peter Mandelson, who was allegedly kept out of sight behind the scenes under the codename 'Bobby'; Kilfoyle says Blair told him Mandelson would be kept away, and Blair’s team used a veil of secrecy around Mandelson, who later became a central figure in New Labour. Mandelson’s career was later dogged by several scandals, and after ties to Jeffrey Epstein he was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US last year.
Pat McFadden urged Labour MPs not to oust Keir Starmer over the Mandelson controversy, saying the prime minister’s 2024 appointment as US ambassador was a mistake but leadership turnover wouldn’t fix the country’s problems. The piece also notes Union pressure for a leadership refresh, ongoing scrutiny of Mandelson’s links to Epstein, calls for Mandelson to return or donate any payoff, and the Metropolitan Police investigation, with up to 100,000 Mandelson documents expected to be released.
A vast trove of Epstein files reveals how the financier’s network touched royalty, politicians, and business leaders around the world, from Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s 2011–2014 contact and a Paris “wife hunt” remark, to Deepak Chopra’s dinners (with Woody Allen present), Mandelson’s memoir warnings, Barak’s regular contact, Ambani’s push to connect with Kushner and Bannon, and extensive Florida mansion rules and other outreach involving Prince Andrew, Woody Allen, Downing Street, and Steve Bannon—illustrating influence and connections, not proving criminal involvement for all named.
UK officials fear that documents from former ambassador Peter Mandelson could be released, exposing candid views on Donald Trump and responses from Downing Street and the Foreign Office and potentially harming the UK–US relationship as MPs demand transparency. The Intelligence and Security Committee will review the materials, while the FCDO chief reassures staff; Mandelson’s controversial ties to Epstein and his departure as ambassador add to the sensitivity of the disclosures.
Labour MPs grow angrier over Lord Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein as documents about Mandelson’s vetting for the US ambassador post move toward ISC review; ministers defend the vetting process while Starmer confirms he regrets appointing Mandelson after being misled, with the party bracing for more questions as Starmer prepares a major speech in East Sussex.
DOJ-released emails show Lord Mandelson maintained a frank, often jokey friendship with Jeffrey Epstein before and after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, including discussions about Labour figures and Mandelson’s memoir. Keir Starmer says Mandelson misled him about the extent of the relationship ahead of Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, and the bond appears to have cooled by 2012, with Mandelson insisting he never left Epstein’s side.
U.S. DOJ documents show Lord Mandelson offered to help Jeffrey Epstein obtain a Russian visa for a 2010 Moscow trip, reportedly to meet women; the plan was canceled due to visa delays, and there is no evidence Mandelson knew Epstein’s motives. The release comes as Mandelson faces scrutiny over his Epstein ties and has resigned from the House of Lords. The files also detail extensive Epstein networking and travel with associates, but do not establish wrongdoing by Mandelson.