Labour rebels force Starmer into humiliating climbdown on Mandelson files
Keir Starmer’s leadership has been thrown into disarray after angry Labor MPs forced him into a humiliating escalation over the publication of full review documents into Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US.
The prime minister’s dramatic U-turn comes after intense pressure led by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, just hours after she admitted knowing about Lord Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein but still appointed him as US ambassador.
Despite the statement leading many to question Sir Keir’s integrity and judgement, Keir insisted he had been lied to repeatedly by his disgraced colleague, who he said “betrayed our country” over the alleged leak of sensitive government documents to the disgraced financier.
The Prime Minister had tried to restrict the publication of the investigation documents, arguing that some details would need to be corrected for national security reasons. This led to accusations from Labor MPs that he was attempting a “cover-up”.
Eventually, following a low-key address debate that lasted three hours, Sir Keir relented after Ms Rayner intervened and made clear she would support a Tory proposal for the independent Intelligence and Security Committee to decide what documents could be published.
It’s unclear when the documents will be presented to the committee and made public, but there is speculation they could be ready as early as Thursday.
A Conservative Party spokesman took advantage of the U-turn and said: “Kemi [Badenoch] He forced Starmer to admit he knew Mandelson was still hanging out with Epstein after the child sex conviction, and No 10 appointed Mandelson anyway.
“The moment when Labor MPs stopped supporting the prime minister could be felt in the House of Commons. The government has now had to give in to Kemi’s demand that all documents go to the ISC. Starmer is no longer in control; Kemi is calling the shots.”
The Prime Minister has previously claimed police investigations into Lord Mandelson and diplomatic relations must be protected.
In a desperate attempt to draw a line under the scandal at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Sir Keir attacked his former ambassador, who was sacked in September following further revelations of his relationship with Epstein.
He told MPs: “Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and our party.
“He repeatedly lied to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him. If I had known then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near the government.”
With his future at stake, Sir Keir is understood to be planning a new reset with a major speech on Thursday to position himself as a champion of “decency and respect”.
Despite the obvious flaw, MPs remain unconvinced by the prime minister’s anger and promises of transparency. The anger on both sides of the House was on full display during the debate, which lasted more than six hours.
At heated PMQs, Ms Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer confirmed he knew about Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with pedophile Epstein when he appointed him as ambassador.
“His disastrous decision damaged the special relationship, endangered national security, and embarrassed our nation.”
The Conservative leader also took aim at Sir Keir’s powerful private secretary Morgan McSweeney, accusing the government of covering up an incident to protect both their futures.
He said: “We know there will be a cover-up because this involves the prime minister and Peter Mandelson’s protégé, Morgan McSweeney. The prime minister, on the advice of Morgan McSweeney, chose to inject Mandelson’s poison into the heart of his government.”
Asked whether Ms Badenoch trusted Mr McSweeney, Sir Keir said: “Morgan McSweeney is an important part of my team. He helped me change the Labor Party and win the election. Of course I trust him.”
But one Labor MP said: Independent: “McSweeney is the sacrificial lamb here to save Starmer.”
But more damaging were Labor MPs lining up to attack Sir Keir and his government.
Andy McDonald criticized the “appalling failure of judgment” in appointing his peer, saying: “I think many of us still have lingering concerns, particularly the issue of international relations, which could mean anything.”
Former frontrunner Richard Burgon railed against the culture within the Labor Party that Mandelson represented, warning: “The appointment of Peter Mandelson to this important post was literally indefensible.”
In another intervention, Labour’s MP for Poplar and Limehouse, Apsana Begum, also demanded that Labor’s internal documents, telephone messages and electronic communications be given to MPs.
Another Labor MP, Paula Barker, said she was “embarrassed” by the government for trying to limit the publication of review papers into Lord Mandelson’s appointment, adding that she was “begging” them to remove the amendment.
Before the government made a U-turn to allow the full texts to be published, Labor MP John McDonnell warned he would rebel against Sir Keir’s amendment to redact some of the documents, arguing it could lead to a cover-up.
The former shadow chancellor said: “Today I will be voting against the government’s amendment which seeks to exclude the documents from the investigation into Mandelson on the grounds that they are ‘damaging to international relations’.
“This is so broad that it leaves the prime minister open to allegations of collusion in the cover-up.”
Lord Mandelson formally retired from the House of Lords on Wednesday before Sir Keir had a chance to strip him of his rank, following the revelation of files released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) last Friday showing Gordon Brown leaking sensitive government information to Epstein while he was a business secretary in the Labor administration.
