Peter Mandelson requested a payout exceeding £500,000 following his dismissal as US ambassador due to his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Initial documents on his appointment to Washington revealed that Mandelson sought a £75,000 severance package initially, but later aimed for a payout covering his entire four-year contract, totaling £547,201 funded by taxpayers.
The release of a 147-page dossier on Wednesday shed light on concerns within the Foreign Office regarding potential damaging disclosures by Mandelson against the government if a settlement was not promptly reached. The revelations have raised doubts about Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson to the prestigious role despite his close relationship with Epstein.
The Prime Minister terminated Mandelson’s position in September, citing dishonesty about his connections with Epstein. A due diligence report from the Cabinet Office cautioned on the “general reputational risk” associated with his appointment, highlighting ongoing ties between Mandelson and Epstein even after the latter’s conviction for child sex offenses.
The documents also disclosed reservations from top officials, including concerns expressed by National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and Foreign Office permanent under-secretary Philip Barton regarding the appointment process. Mandelson, post-dismissal, emphasized the importance of leaving the US with dignity and minimal media intrusion, emphasizing his status as a civil servant.
The government’s publication of the initial batch of documents follows a request from Scotland Yard to withhold certain files to prevent interference with their investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office. Subsequent document releases are expected to reveal potentially incriminating WhatsApp exchanges involving senior officials and Mandelson.
Recent developments include Mandelson’s arrest over allegations of leaking sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure under Gordon Brown’s government. Police raids on Mandelson’s London residence, valued at approximately £7.6 million, indicated ongoing investigations. Mandelson’s legal team confirmed his cooperation with authorities and emphasized his commitment to the investigation.
Parliamentarians criticized Mandelson’s substantial payout request as inappropriate and unwarranted, given the circumstances of his dismissal. Calls for Mandelson to donate his severance payment to charity have emerged, underscoring public outrage over the situation.
