Mandelson was worth the risk' as US ambassador, business secretary says

"Global politics had been turned upside down, he told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg programme. The relationship between Britain and America was in a perilous state because of the threat of tariffs, what was happening economically, trying to repurpose and rethink the special relationship. Britain needed somebody with outstanding, singular talents, experience which was very hard to come by. And yes, a lot was known about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Epstein. He had apologised for it. And these two things were weighed up."

"He said Mandelson had navigated the most difficult period in the US-UK relationship since the second world war, and we have delivered for people in Britain time after time after time. He said the Cabinet Office had not provided the prime minister with any further information apart from what was already in the public domain. The Cabinet Office did an independent inquiry into the appointment, as they do in every public appointment of this nature, and the information was presented to the prime minister,"

Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the United States despite vetting warnings about his links with Jeffrey Epstein. New revelations of close contact with Epstein after his conviction led to Mandelson's dismissal and anger in the Labour party over No 10's slow response. The business secretary defended the appointment, arguing Mandelson transformed the UK–US relationship during a perilous period and that his singular talents justified the role despite known issues. Mandelson apologised for his Epstein links. The Cabinet Office carried out an independent inquiry and presented existing information to the prime minister.

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