Keir Starmer pressed to ‘come clean’ on Mandelson sacking

Tuesday 16 September 2025 3:35 pm

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been pressed to “come clear” on how the sacking of former ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson unfolded and the method that led to his appointment final yr. 

Starmer, who was not current at an emergency debate on Mandelson’s sacking on Tuesday, mentioned on Monday that he wouldn’t have appointed the previous ambassador had he recognized particulars about his emails to Jeffrey Epstein previous to final December. 

The Labour chief mentioned he solely discovered about emails uncovered by Bloomberg after PMQs final Wednesday, when he had backed Mandelson. 

Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch, chair of the International Affairs Committee Emily Thornberry and Sir David Davis, who secured the controversy, had been amongst a number of MPs to criticise Starmer’s conduct over occasions resulting in Mandelson’s dismissal final week. 

Kemi Badenoch mentioned Starmer was “hiding from parliament” as she repeatedly referred to as on the Prime Minister to “come clear” on particulars. 

In a press release to MPs, Badenoch mentioned: “It’s now very clear that Peter Mandelson ought to by no means have been appointed. 

“[Starmer] has shrivelled from management. He has dodged duty. He has hidden behind others.

Badenoch referred to as on Starmer to publish paperwork pertaining to Mandelon’s appointment in full and situation an apology to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, including “He owes it to the nation to come back clear”. 

International workplace minister Stephen Doughty, who represented the federal government throughout the debate, mentioned the Prime Minister took “decisive motion” to sack Mandelson and mentioned due course of was adopted on vetting.  

Keir Starmer faces stress from inside Labour

Thornberry, who entered Labour’s deputy management race final week earlier than stepping out a day later, mentioned the International Affairs Committee had tried to name for a listening to on Mandelson’s appointment solely to be shunned by the International Workplace. 

She questioned whether or not “crimson flags” on Mandelson had been “missed or ignored”, whereas including that these vetting the previous ambassador might have been informed to “overlook” apparent indicators that he posed a threat to nationwide safety. 

In a letter, international secretary Yvette Cooper denied strategies that the method was not duly adopted. 

“The propriety and ethics group within the Cupboard Workplace performed a due diligence course of,” she mentioned. 

“The International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace (FCDO) was not requested to contribute to that course of and no points had been raised with the FCDO on account of this course of. This was not a safety examine.”

“After Peter Mandelson’s appointment was introduced, which began the ambassadorial appointment course of, together with nationwide safety vetting, upfront of him taking on his publish.”

Former minister and Tory veteran David Davis mentioned there had been a “double commonplace” utilized to “Labour royalty”, referring to Mandelson’s lengthy historical past on the prime of Tony Blair’s authorities and his political appointment. 

Numerous Labour backbenchers together with Richard Burgon additionally spoke out towards the Prime Minister, in addition to Reform UK’s Richard Tice and former Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn.