Donald Trump warned Keir Starmer not to appoint Peter Mandelson | Politics | News

Members of Donald Trump’s transition team reportedly advised against Peter Mandelson He was appointed British ambassador to the United States. Senior figures of the then-incoming US president questioned the Prime Minister Sir Keir StarmerThe decision to replace Karen Pierce as ambassador with a Labor peer.

an old one Embers One official and a British official also reportedly claimed that Mr. Trump’s aides told the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and then-Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney at a meeting in December 2024 that they wanted Ms. Pierce to remain in office. Trump official said: Policy He said members of Mr. Trump’s transition team called Mr. Powell and told him they were unhappy with the treatment of Ms. Pierce and did not like Mandelson’s choice.

Both officials told the same publication that Trump aides were confused by the idea of ​​Mandelson becoming ambassador because of his past criticisms of the president.

Mandelson has previously described Mr Trump as “a bully”. Before taking up the ambassador’s post in January 2025, he told the BBC that his past criticisms were “wrong and wrong”.

The report into alleged unrest in Mr Trump’s team comes as Sir Keir faces harsh criticism over his decision to appoint Mandelson as ambassador despite his links to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Labor secretary is accused of passing information to Epstein while he was commerce secretary.

Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of abuse of public office. He was released on bail pending further investigation.

He denies any wrongdoing.

The former Labor ambassador’s law firm, Mishcon de Reya, said Mandelson’s “top priority” was to continue to co-operate with the police investigation and clear his name.

Meanwhile, the fallout from Mandelson’s appointment continues to haunt the Prime Minister.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of failing in his duty to appoint Mandelson’s ambassador at PMQs on Wednesday.

Sir Keir, meanwhile, has repeatedly dodged requests about whether he had spoken personally to Mandelson about details of his relationship with Epstein.

The Conservative leader repeatedly pressed her on whether she had asked Lord Mandelson about her stay at Epstein’s home following the financier’s conviction.

Ms Badenoch also accused Sir Keir of trying to avoid scrutiny by releasing documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment immediately after Prime Minister’s Questions last week.

He said: “This Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson but didn’t bother to ask questions.

“If he can’t be honest with the House on such a simple matter, why should we believe a word he says about anything?”

Sir Keir has previously said that due process was followed in Mandelson’s appointment, but that the process was not strong enough. He said: “Ultimately it was my fault and I apologized for it and that’s quite right too.”