Mandelson files fuel leadership turmoil as vetting questions linger

More than 1,500 pages on Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US show a rushed security vetting process, lingering questions about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, and criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s judgment. Mandelson was fired after nine months amid the Epstein fallout; officials suggest Epstein ties were not cited as the reason for failing vetting, but the full vetting summary and any mitigation steps remain unclear while a police investigation into Mandelson continues.