Mandelson was offered highly classified briefing before he finished vetting process | UK news

Newly released documents reveal that Peter Mandelson was offered a highly classified State Department briefing as US ambassador before completing the formal vetting process.

The documents were released after Conservatives pushed for explanations for the appointment of Mandelson, who was sacked in September last year over his close relationship with sex offender Jeffery Epstein.

The first tranche announced by the Cabinet Office covers consideration of Mandelson as a potential US ambassador, as well as discussions surrounding his dismissal in the autumn of last year.

The documents show that the FCDO may have begun briefing Mandelson on classified information after his appointment, but before it was formally reviewed at the highest level. The briefing offer came two weeks after Mandelson’s appointment was announced on December 20, 2024.

A Dec. 23 email to Mandelson from the head of FCDO’s U.S. and Canada department outlined his hiring arrangements. In that email, the official says: “Starting January 6, we will personally keep you informed further, including to higher tiers.”

An email does not formally confirm Mandelson’s enhanced review clearance until January 30, 2025, his official employment offer.

Mandelson was also asked to apply for a higher level review (Leave clearance), which was not initiated until February 4. The emails suggest he would have received higher-level briefings before any of these processes were completed.

The FCDO’s own security guidelines, outlined in the official appointment letter attached to the same email, stated: “If a Strap permit is required… you must submit a new Strap application form for your new position at least three months prior to your commencement of duty.”

The documents also show that Mandelson was offered a severance pay of £75,000 after he asked the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000 for the remainder of the contract upon his dismissal as US ambassador, according to newly released documents.

The exchanges, in documents released by the Cabinet Office, suggested that officials “were good to get this deal down to this low level with a minimum of fuss” after Mandelson was forced to resign from his post as US ambassador.