Starmer Faces pressure to Release Mandelson Vetting Documents Amid Epstein Links and Leak Allegations
The UK government is poised to compel the release of confidential vetting documents related to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, escalating a political crisis for Labor leader Keir Starmer. A rare parliamentary vote, triggered by the Conservative party, will seek to uncover the extent to which concerns about Mandelson’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were considered during the vetting process.
The move, spearheaded by Cabinet Minister Kemi Badenoch, comes as the Metropolitan Police launch a criminal investigation into allegations that Mandelson leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive facts to Epstein. Badenoch is set to utilize a procedural device known as a “humble address” on Wednesday to demand the release of all relevant files.
“We need to uncover why the proper vetting process appears to have been circumvented,” Badenoch stated. “The public deserves to know what assurances were given and what information was available to those making the decision to appoint Mr. Mandelson.” The request focuses on the roles played by Sue Gray, starmer’s chief of staff, and senior Foreign Office official Oliver Robbins regarding the risks associated with Mandelson’s appointment.
Conservatives allege that McSweeney was “deeply implicated” in the controversy, reportedly advocating strongly for Mandelson’s appointment within No. 10. Badenoch has also requested that the Cabinet Secretary, Chris Wormald, investigate the knowledge held by Justice Secretary David Lammy and Work and Pensions secretary Pat McFadden regarding Mandelson’s conduct during his time as Business Secretary, when they served as junior ministers in his department.
The requested documents include the Cabinet Office’s due diligence process, Mandelson’s Conflict of Interest form submitted to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and materials provided to UK security vetting services, including information related to Global Counsel, the advisory firm he co-founded in 2010. A Conservative spokesperson indicated the motion will also demand “minutes of meetings, digital communications and all ‘information provided to the prime minister prior to his assurance to this house on 10 September 2025 that full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is indeed with all ambassadors.'”
The unfolding situation has already prompted action from Mandelson, who resigned from the House of Lords on Tuesday afternoon.Though, pressure is mounting on the government to conduct a public examination of the vetting process to determine McSweeney’s role.The foreign Affairs Committee reportedly discussed potentially calling McSweeney to testify, though no decision was reached, and it is indeed believed he could invoke his status as a special advisor to decline.
Within the Labour party, ther is growing support for the Conservative motion. “There’s definitely a lot of pressure and colleagues making concerns known, especially I gather around what No 10 was told when mandelson was appointed,” one MP revealed. Another MP stated,”It is indeed clear from the letter that was made public to Mandelson asking him to disclose the times he was at Epstein’s home that there was a distinct incuriosity from No 10 about the extent of this relationship and what more could be out there.” A third described the initial handling of the matter as a “botch job,” suggesting an attempt to minimize scrutiny.
Labour MPs reportedly believe their whips will be unable to compel them to vote against the Tory motion. “No colleague would be prepared to go through the lobbies to oppose that,” one MP asserted.
Further complicating the matter,a former minister indicated that concerns about potential information leaks were previously raised by Gordon Brown to the Cabinet Office shortly before Mandelson was removed from his ambassadorial post. “At each step I don’t think we’re being told the full story,” the former minister saeid. Another expressed concern over the “casualness” with which emails were reportedly forwarded,calling for clarity regarding Mandelson’s contacts as ambassador.
Specifically,concerns have been raised regarding Mandelson’s interactions with US tech firm Palantir,which has secured government contracts and was visited by Starmer during a recent trip to Washington DC. “
Starmer reportedly expressed his dismay over the reported leaks during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, and Downing Street officials confirmed that a dossier on Mandelson had been handed over to the police. The situation continues to develop rapidly, with the upcoming parliamentary vote poised to further intensify scrutiny of the Labour party’s handling of the appointment and the extent of its knowledge regarding mandelson’s controversial associations.
