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The Conservatives are trying to force the Government to release all the documents showing how Lord Mandelson got the Washington job, including messages to key figures in Sir Keir’s inner circle, including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and senior ministers. Speaking during PMQs today, the Prime Minister insisted Lord Mandelson “lied repeatedly” during his appointment as US ambassador.
The Prime Minister, who faces growing questions over his leadership amid Labour’s decline in the polls, said: “Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party.
“He repeatedly lied to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his time as ambassador. I regret appointing him.”
“If I had known then what I know now, I would never have been anywhere near the government.”
Documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador will be released by the Government after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch used the parliamentary process to request the documents.
The Prime Minister agreed to release the documents as long as they did not harm national security or international relations.
Lord Mandelson left the Lordships and faces a criminal investigation for alleged misconduct in public office after files released by the US Department of Justice showed internal government information on the response to the 2009 global financial crisis were sent to Epstein.
