"After the release of a vast tranche of documents and emails that shed further light on the close relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, the government has come under intense pressure to release details about its vetting process before Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador in December 2024. The prime minister confirmed for the first time on Wednesday that he had known about Mandelson's longer-term relationship with Epstein"
"saying the former peer had lied repeatedly about the extent of his contact with the late child sex offender. That Starmer knew Mandelson had kept ties with Epstein after his conviction was widely reported when the former cabinet minister lost his job Washington in September. A Downing Street source said there had been reports linking Mandelson and Epstein before the appointment, including after the disgraced financier was convicted, which had been looked at as part of the appointment process."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer knew that Peter Mandelson maintained a longer-term relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him US ambassador in December 2024, and concluded Mandelson had lied repeatedly about the contact. A Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team conducted due diligence and sent No 10 a file noting public-domain reports that Mandelson had stayed overnight at Epstein's house and had ongoing contact after Epstein's release from prison. Starmer asked Mandelson three specific questions after reviewing the file. New information revealed in November showed the relationship was materially different, leading to Mandelson's swift sacking.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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