Starmer was briefed on Mandelson's Epstein links before appointing him, say civil servants

"The prime minister received a Cabinet Office report that contained a summary of reputational risks associated with appointing Lord Mandelson, including his prior relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and past resignations as a Labour minister. Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary, told MPs that the report contained direct extracts from media reporting and notes a general reputational risk arising from making the appointment."

"Mandelson's longstanding friendship with Epstein, which continued after the disgraced financier was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, was a matter of public record before his appointment was made. It was public information that Mandelson stayed at Epstein's flat in Manhattan in 2009, the year after Epstein was sentenced to prison. The briefing sent to Starmer also mentioned official records showing that Mandelson facilitated a meeting between Epstein and Tony Blair in 2002."

"Wormald set out the due diligence process involved in Mandelson's appointment, starting with the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics report, followed by a conflict of interest declaration and in-depth national security vetting carried out on behalf of the Foreign Office. The department has previously admitted that Mandelson's appointment was announced before that developed vetting process was complete."

Keir Starmer received a Cabinet Office report summarising reputational risks tied to appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States, including his prior relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and past ministerial resignations. The report included direct media extracts and noted a general reputational risk; the final judgment on appointment rested with Starmer. Mandelson's long friendship with Epstein, including staying at Epstein's Manhattan flat in 2009 and facilitating a 2002 meeting between Epstein and Tony Blair, was public record. The appointment underwent propriety and ethics checks, conflict-of-interest declaration and national security vetting, but was announced before vetting completed. Mandelson is no longer on the government payroll and his civil service employment has been terminated.

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