No 10 rejects claims it covered up Starmer's role in Mandelson appointment

"Among the documents released on Wednesday were two pieces of official advice to Starmer, one setting out the potential risks of a political appointee to be ambassador, and another specifically detailing the risks in approving Mandelson, including his ties to Epstein. Both contained an official box titled, prime minister comments, where under usual protocol the PM would formally give a decision and any other views. Both, however, were left blank."

"But that doesn't take away from the fact that it was me that made a mistake, and it's me that makes the apology to the victims of Epstein, and I do that. It is believed Starmer most likely gave his view to officials verbally, despite protocol setting out that such decisions should be recorded formally."

"On Thursday, Kemi Badenoch said it appeared that Starmer's comments had been redacted. They have been removed, the Conservative leader claimed, adding: We need the full details of what the prime minister did. There is still a cover-up going on. However, No 10 officials said nothing was redacted, and that this was the final version of the documents."

Downing Street rejected accusations of covering up Prime Minister Keir Starmer's involvement in appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington. Released government documents showed no formal input from Starmer in official approval boxes, though officials claim normal vetting procedures were followed. Mandelson was dismissed after nine months when details emerged about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer acknowledged making a mistake and apologized to Epstein's victims, stating he was unaware of the extent of Mandelson's ties to Epstein. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested Starmer's comments were redacted from documents, but No 10 officials denied redaction occurred, indicating Starmer likely communicated his decision verbally rather than through formal written protocol.

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