Mandelson-Epstein latest: Furious Labour MPs force Starmer into climbdown over files disclosure
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner was one of the many Labour backbenchers who rallied against Sir Keir’s amendment
Sir Keir Starmer has been forced into a humiliating climbdown after tabling an amendment about which documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador could be released, which received backlash from his own backbenches.
MPs and peers from the Intelligence and Security Committee will decide what documents will be released, after the prime minister had initially tabled a so-called manuscript amendment with little notice, which required some “papers prejudicial to UK national security or international relations” to be withheld.
The suggestion faced backlash from his own backbenches, including his former deputy Angela Rayner, who agreed with the Tory argument that all papers should be released to the Intelligence and Security Committee.
Lord Mandelson officially retired from the House of Lords after files released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) last Friday appear to show that Lord Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown's Labour administration.
The prime minister admitted he knew about the former US ambassador’s links with Jeffrey Epstein when appointing him the key diplomatic role while questioned by Kemi Badenoch, who said the appointment “goes to the very heart of this prime minister’s judgement”.
He said Lord Peter Mandelson “lied repeatedly” and said that he “regrets” appointing him to the role.
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Tory MP suggests Labour government would have known about Mandelson staying in Epstein's flat
Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent, reports:
"No one can say that the Labour government did not know" about Peter Mandelson staying Jeffrey Epstein's flat when he was a minister, Tory MP Alicia Kearns has said.
She explained that when she was a civil servant, she always "knew where my ministers were staying when they were abroad".
Ms Kearns told the government: "We also knew that while he was deputy prime minister of this country and business and trade secretary, carrying the flag of our great nation on an official visit to New York, he stayed in a convicted paedophile’s flat. How dare he do that while representing this country?"
She said it "raises serious questions about why he was not pursued for misconduct in public office back at that point", adding: "No one can say that the Labour government did not know.
"Because, having been a civil servant, I knew where my ministers were stying when they were abroad – not sure they always wanted me to know, but I knew. And none of them would have ever done that.”
95 per cent of Brits aware of the Mandelson-Epstein story, poll finds
Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor, reports:
A new poll shows the sheer extent to which the Mandelson scandal has reached members of the public.
Almost everyone in the country is aware of the story emerging from the latest release of the Epstein files, the survey by YouGov found.
And a whopping 44 per cent said that they were following it either very or fairly closely.
Sometimes it is a political cliche to say voters are watching what is happening in Parliament. But on this issue this poll suggests they definitely are.
Met Police asks government not to release 'certain documents' in order not to 'undermine investigation'
The Metropolitan Police has asked the Government not to release “certain documents” relating to Jeffrey Epstein because it could “undermine our current investigation”, Commander Ella Marriott, from the force, has said.
Commander Ella Marriott said: “As with any investigation, securing and preserving any potential evidence is vital.
“For this reason, when approached by the UK Government today with their intent to publish material, we reviewed it immediately and advised that the release of specific documents could undermine our current investigation. We therefore asked them not to release certain documents at this time.
“Going forward as material is made available to us, and if we identify further documents that we believe could prejudice our investigation, we will continue to ask the Government to pause their release until such time as the risk of prejudice no longer exists. The integrity of our investigation is paramount to securing justice. We are grateful for their cooperation.
“We continue to assess all relevant information brought to our attention as part of this investigation.”
Watch: Zack Polanski slams Starmer over Mandelson-Epstein emails: 'Serious questions to answer'
Andy McDonald has 'lingering concerns' about document release process
Andy McDonald said he had “lingering concerns” about the process of releasing documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment despite a Government climbdown.
The Labour MP criticised the “appalling failure of judgment” in appointing the peer.
“I think many of us have still got lingering concerns, firstly about the international relations issue, that could mean anything.”
He added that the Intelligence and Security Committee must be “rigorous” in its approach, adding: “You’re still in the situation where the Government and No 10 have got to be candid about what it releases.
“You’ve got to have a healthy degree of circumspection.”
He said he thought it was “reasonable to expect an answer pretty damn quick” on how Lord Mandelson passed vetting. “It beggars belief that we could ever get a security vetting process that would sign off affirmatively on somebody in these circumstances,” he said.
Asked about Sir Keir Starmer’s own judgment given what was already in the public domain about Lord Mandelson, Mr McDonald said: “I think that this is an appalling failure of judgment.”
Mr McDonald indicated he would back the new amendment “reluctantly” while stressing the need for “full disclosure.”
Former shadow chancellor condemns government for 'another unnecessary U-turn'
Former shadow chancellor Jon McDonnell has criticised the government for “another unnecessary U-turn” on Sky News.
He said: "I think we're getting into the right place. But, you know, this is another unnecessary U-turn.
"I don't know what they were thinking of. They realised this would be disastrous.
"It wasn't just me writing to the chief whip, we had Labour MP after Labour MP getting up and saying they couldn't vote for the government. That's why this has happened."
Tories claim to 'call the shots' following PMQs showdown
The Conservative party has claimed leader Kemi Badenoch is “calling the shots” after PMQs, where Sir Keir was forced to climbdown from an amendment tabled about the release of Mandelson documents
A Conservative spokesman said: “Kemi forced Starmer to admit he’d known Mandelson was still hanging out with Epstein after the child sex conviction, and No10 went ahead and appointed Mandelson anyway.
“You could feel in the Commons that was the moment Labour MPs stopped backing the Prime Minister. The government have now had to cave to Kemi’s demand for all documents to go to the ISC. Starmer is no longer in control, Kemi is calling the shots.”
Swinney orders investigation into Scottish Government dealings with Mandelson
John Swinney has ordered an investigation into his Government’s dealings with Peter Mandelson to see if the “interests of Scotland have been undermined”.
Lord Mandelson, who resigned from the House of Lords this week after more revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein were revealed, is currently under police investigation over alleged misconduct in public office.
Speaking to ITV Border on Wednesday, first minister John Swinney questioned the Prime Minister’s judgment in appointing Lord Mandelson to the role given his friendship with Epstein was already known and said he had instructed the country’s top civil servant to launch a probe.
“What I’m now concerned about is that now we know there’s information about the supply of material by Peter Mandelson in the financial crash to Jeffrey Epstein, I’m now concerned about the implications of that for Scotland,” he said.
Voices: Mandelson affair shows the UK has become prone to moles and grifters
The Mandelson affair shows the UK has become prone to moles and grifters
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