Politics latest: First Mandelson files on US ambassador appointment to be released today

The Prime Minister’s principal secretary, Darren Jones, has defended the way in which documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington were released.

The documents will not be released until after the PMQs, meaning MPs will not be able to directly pressure Sir Keir Starmer over their contents.

Mr Jones, who will make a Commons statement on the release of the documents after Prime Minister’s Questions, said: “We were always prepared to report on the first tranche of documents in early March, which we are doing this afternoon.

“As I lead the Cabinet Office at the heart of government, it has always been my responsibility to convey these updates to the House of Commons and statements always come after Prime Minister’s Questions.”

He told Times Radio: “A second tranche of documents will arrive at a later stage.”

A House of Commons motion called for the publication of a wide range of material, including messages between Lord Mandelson and ministers and senior officials that could be embarrassing for the Government.

Following the vote, Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to ensure “urgency and transparency” and apologized for believing his colleague’s “lies” about the extent of his relationship with Epstein.

Some files are expected to be retained for national security or foreign affairs reasons, but Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has the final say on which documents to redact.

Ministers had initially suggested giving the cabinet secretary control over which documents should be withheld, but they backed down in the face of opposition from Labor supporters.

Downing Street could start releasing documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington on Wednesday, according to reports.

Parliamentary sources said Cabinet minister Darren Jones was expected to address MPs following the prime minister’s questions, following media reports that No 10 was preparing to release the first round of Lord Mandelson papers.

Last month, MPs ordered the government to publish thousands of documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment in 2024, following questions about how he was vetted and what was known about his links to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The timing of the expected announcement led to accusations from the Conservatives that the Prime Minister was trying to “dodge questions” about Lord Mandelson’s review by releasing the documents after the PMQs.