Peter Mandelson files released by the Government after demand from MPs

WorldPolitics
1 Jun 2026 • 9:09 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Peter Mandelson files released by the Government after demand from MPs

Thousands of documents and messages giving details of Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment and activities as ambassador to the US have been published by the Government.

The disclosure of the files, including internal emails and WhatsApp messages, is an “unprecedented piece of Government transparency”, Downing Street said.

The release includes previously classified documents and personal WhatsApp messages exchanged by the former ambassador with senior figures in the Government.

Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US has had major repercussions (Carl Court/PA) (PA Wire)

The documents were ordered to be published by the House of Commons in the wake of revelations about Lord Mandelson’s ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

It is the second batch of files relating to Sir Keir Starmer’s ill-fated decision to give the prestigious Washington post to Lord Mandelson rather than a career diplomat.

The peer was sacked in September 2025 just nine months into the job when more details emerged about his friendship with Epstein.

Subsequent revelations in the Epstein Files led to a Metropolitan Police investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.

No 10 indicated the release of documents was everything it planned to publish on Lord Mandelson, apart from files held back at the request of Scotland Yard to avoid jeopardising its investigation.

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