Mandelson files: The key takeaways from latest release of disgraced peer’s messages with Starmer’s top ministers
Explanatory messages between Lord Peter Mandelson and several government ministers and officials have been published in the final part of documents relating to the appointment of his disgraced former Labor colleague as US ambassador.
These include emails and WhatsApp conversations with work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden, former health secretary Wes Streeting and former communications chief Matthew Doyle.
The publication of documents was ordered by the House of Commons after Lord Mandelson’s ties to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein were revealed.
This is the second set of dossiers relating to Sir Keir Starmer’s unfortunate decision to give the prestigious Washington post to Lord Mandelson rather than a diplomat.
No 10 stated that all it planned to publish about Lord Mandelson was the release of documents, apart from the files being held back at the request of Scotland Yard so as not to jeopardize the investigation.
Here are the main takeaways:
Mandelson tells ministers to be more ‘Trump-like’ to defeat Reformation
Lord Mandelson told ministers to act with more “Trumpian risk-taking and boldness” after Labor lost Reform in the Runcorn by-election.
In messages to Mr McFadden, Lord Mandelson said the party’s problems “come from the top and from Keir”. [Starmer] lacks enthusiasm”.
He told Mr McFadden in a message at around 4am US time on May 3 that Morgan McSweeney, then Sir Keir’s private secretary, was “so confident” the party would win Runcorn. The party eventually lost to Reform by just six votes.
He wrote: “I’m afraid it all starts from the beginning, but you all must contribute more to this by breaking the Whitehall system and mold and appearing less businesslike as the usual traditional ministers and behaving, dare I say it, in a more Trump-style risk-taking and audacious manner.”
Mandelson tells Lammy he will ‘never regret’ making him US ambassador
Lord Mandelson told his deputy leader David Lammy that he would “never regret” appointing him as Britain’s ambassador to the US.
The note, dated November 18, 2024, appears to have been written while Lord Mandelson was awaiting the results of a vote on who would be the next chancellor of Oxford University, where he was said to be among the leading figures at the time.
The letter, written in blue pen on notepaper with Lord Mandelson’s name and the seal of the House of Lords, read: “Dear David, Since today (and all week) is polling day at Oxford and I am returning to London, I wanted to write you a line personally about Washington.
“Thankfully, the speculation in the media has died down and I hope it didn’t bother you too much. I just wanted you to know that if you consider appointing me, I will make sure you will never regret it.”
Mandelson and McFadden predict Starmer won’t survive benefits revolt
The files reveal an exchange between Lord Mandelson and the current work and pensions secretary over the Prime Minister’s future, amid an escalation in benefit cuts in the face of a Labor loyalist revolt.
As the events unraveled, Mr. McFadden wrote that the situation was “very bad.”
He warned that many of the options “destroy the Prime Minister’s authority”. Lord Mandelson wrote: “If the vote is pushed and it disappears, I’m not sure Keir will survive it.” In the end, there was no vote and the government abandoned the plans.
Mandelson warns Starmer’s Downing Street operation ‘beleaguered and bereft’
Lord Mandelson warned Sir Keir Starmer’s Downing Street operation was “beleaguered and deprived” in WhatsApp messages to Pat McFadden in July 2025.
The US ambassador at the time said: “After seeing you, I entered No. 10. It is a besieged and abandoned place.” “To get anywhere requires a complete revamp and an infusion of purpose and confidence,” he added.
Lord Mandelson said Starmer consistently chose “direction B” over direction A.
Mandelson consoles former transport minister over ‘harsh’ exit – then congratulates his replacement
Lord Mandleson said he was “tough” after former transport secretary Louise Haigh quit the government over fraud charges.
In a message to him on November 29, 2024, he said: “Lou, I am very sorry about this. You were brave and loyal in your decision, but this seems harsh considering you were appointed with all your knowledge.”
“But you acted in a way that would keep you coming back later, and everything you say and do now must be done with that in mind. Strong and honorable.”
On the same day, Lord Mandleson congratulates his successor, Heidi Alexander, on her appointment.
“You will achieve great success and your rail town can be very proud of you Peter x,” he wrote.
Mandelson refused to hand over WhatsApp messages
He “refused” to comply with a request for his WhatsApp messages and other information from his personal phone to be handed over to the government, latest documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador show.
A note on methodology said they had written to Lord Mandelson’s lawyers to request information stored on his personal phone but this was refused.
