Documents reveal warnings about Mandelson’s Epstein links before Starmer approved role

Newly released government documents have revealed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer overruled warnings from senior officials about the potential “reputational risk” of appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States.

The files also indicate that Mandelson was offered access to highly classified briefings before his formal security vetting process had been completed.

The disclosures raise fresh questions about the decision-making process behind Mandelson’s appointment and the handling of security procedures within government.

According to the documents, senior officials had flagged concerns over Mandelson’s past controversies and his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Among those who raised reservations were the UK’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s permanent secretary, Philip Barton.

Both officials expressed concern about Mandelson’s previous public scandals and the potential reputational consequences of appointing him to such a high-profile diplomatic role.

The files show that the prime minister was provided with a due diligence dossier outlining Mandelson’s connection to Epstein.

That document warned that Mandelson had continued his relationship with Epstein even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for procuring an underage girl.

The dossier included publicly known information indicating that Mandelson had remained in contact with Epstein between 2009 and 2011 and had reportedly stayed at Epstein’s house while Epstein was serving time in jail in June 2009.

Despite the warning, emails contained in the released files show that senior aides to the prime minister were satisfied with Mandelson’s explanation of the relationship.

Matthew Doyle, Starmer’s former communications chief and a friend of Mandelson, reportedly told colleagues that he was “satisfied” with Mandelson’s answers regarding the friendship.

The documents also suggest that the appointment process moved unusually quickly.

Jonathan Powell later told an internal investigation that he believed the appointment had been “weirdly rushed”.

Further emails indicate that Mandelson was offered a high-level classified briefing shortly after his appointment had been announced.

An email dated 23 December from the head of the US and Canada department at the Foreign Office outlined arrangements for Mandelson’s introduction to the role.

The message stated that he would receive further briefings in person from 6 January onwards, including those at “higher tiers”.

However, the emails show that Mandelson’s developed vetting clearance was not formally confirmed until 30 January 2025, when he received his official employment offer.

He was then asked to apply for an even higher level of security clearance, known as Strap clearance, which was not initiated until 4 February.

Foreign Office guidelines state that if such clearance is required, the application should normally be submitted at least three months before a candidate is due to start their post.

The documents were released after pressure from Conservative MPs forced their publication.

They come after Mandelson was dismissed from his ambassadorial role in September last year following new revelations about his association with Epstein.

Additional files also reveal negotiations that took place after his dismissal.

Mandelson was eventually offered a severance payment of £75,000. The documents show he initially asked the Foreign Office to pay more than £500,000 for the remainder of his contract.

Officials later wrote that they had done “well to get this settlement down this low with minimal fuss”.

Mandelson is understood to dispute the claim that he demanded the £574,000 figure mentioned in the documents, saying it had been used as a benchmark rather than a demand.

The papers also suggest Mandelson considered taking legal action against the Foreign Office for unfair dismissal before the settlement was agreed.

In response to the revelations, the government has said it will tighten procedures around political appointments involving access to sensitive information.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the chief secretary to the prime minister, Darren Jones, acknowledged that changes would be made.

He said candidates for roles requiring access to highly classified material would need to complete national security vetting before their appointments are formally announced or confirmed.

Opposition figures have called for further explanations from the government.

Alex Burghart, the shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, criticised the decision and urged ministers to clarify how the appointment was handled and whether proper safeguards were followed.