Peter Mandelson has been urged by a cabinet office minister to donate his £75,000 severance payment to a charity supporting victims. The minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, emphasized the moral obligation for Mandelson to take this action, expressing shared public frustration over the payout.
The call for donation comes after the release of documents detailing Mandelson’s appointment to Washington, revealing that he was initially seeking a payout equivalent to his full four-year contract, amounting to £547,201 at the expense of taxpayers. This negotiation eventually led to a reduced severance sum of £75,000.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast, Minister Thomas-Symonds highlighted the ethical concerns surrounding the situation. He explained the rationale behind the reduced settlement amount, citing potential legal costs in an employment tribunal scenario. However, from a moral standpoint, Thomas-Symonds insisted that Mandelson should not retain the payment and should consider giving it to a charity, particularly one that supports victims.
The released documents also disclosed concerns from Foreign Office officials regarding Mandelson potentially making damaging claims against the government if a settlement was not promptly reached. The dossier, spanning 147 pages, raised further questions about Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to a prominent position despite their association with a controversial individual.
Although the Prime Minister dismissed Mandelson in September for misleading statements about his connections to Epstein, a Cabinet Office report underscored the broader reputational risks associated with his appointment. Minister Thomas-Symonds acknowledged the report’s findings, emphasizing that the Prime Minister had been misled and expressing regret for accepting assurances from Mandelson. The Prime Minister has since apologized for relying on Mandelson’s assurances.
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