LONDON – Britain’s government unveiled initial vetting documents Wednesday on Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Washington ambassador, reigniting scrutiny over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to install a figure entangled with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
The first batch offers scant relief for Starmer, battered by criticism over the pick amid policy reversals and Mandelson’s police probe for purportedly sharing official secrets with the sex offender. Starmer’s camp dismissed the files’ weight, citing an active investigation that redacts sensitive details.
Subsequent releases, per Downing Street, will expose Mandelson’s pre-appointment deceptions to Starmer about his Epstein connections. The ex-Labour minister from the party’s last stint in power over 15 years ago resigned from the House of Lords in February amid the scandal and faced arrest last month on misconduct charges.
U.S. Justice Department files from January revealed emails hinting Mandelson funneled government papers to Epstein, alongside records of payments to Mandelson or his then-partner, now spouse. Mandelson denies memory of any payments, has stayed silent on the leak claims, and ignored comment requests.