Keir Starmer has strongly criticized Peter Mandelson, accusing him of betraying the country and expressing regret over appointing him.
The Prime Minister revealed that Mandelson, who resigned from the House of Lords recently, had been dishonest both before and after his appointment as the United States ambassador. According to documents from the US Department of Justice, Mandelson allegedly disclosed sensitive information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown.
Allegations were raised in the Commons that Epstein might have had connections to Russian intelligence. This has sparked a criminal investigation, raising concerns about the Prime Minister’s decision-making. During a heated session of PMQs, Starmer expressed his outrage, stating, “The revelation of a cabinet minister leaking confidential information during the 2008 financial crisis is extremely frustrating. I share the anger of the public and fellow members of the House.”
Accusing Mandelson of betraying the nation, Parliament, and his own party, Starmer condemned the former minister for deceiving his team about his ties with Epstein before and during his ambassadorship. He admitted regretting the appointment, asserting that Mandelson engaged in a pattern of dishonesty.
In response, the Prime Minister announced plans to introduce legislation to strip disgraced peers of their titles. He informed the Commons of his decision to remove Mandelson from the list of privy councilors due to the tarnishing of the Privy Council’s reputation.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the Prime Minister, highlighting that information regarding Mandelson’s association with Epstein was publicly available before his appointment. Badenoch questioned why the government failed to act promptly despite being aware of the situation.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey raised concerns about potential espionage involving Epstein and questioned whether Mandelson may have compromised state secrets. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the ongoing criminal investigation and pledged the government’s full cooperation.
Mandelson was dismissed in September following revelations of emails showing his support for Epstein’s early release after the latter’s conviction for child sexual offenses. Recent disclosures include incriminating documents and financial transactions suggesting a close relationship between Mandelson and Epstein.
Following the release of additional court documents related to Epstein, the Metropolitan Police initiated an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office involving Mandelson. The government assured its readiness to support the police in their inquiries.
Mandelson has yet to publicly respond to the police inquiry. Reports suggest he maintains his innocence, denies any personal gain, and asserts his cooperation with the authorities, claiming his engagement with Epstein was motivated by national interests.
