All articles tagged with #peter mandelson
A fired former UK foreign affairs chief, Olly Robbins, told MPs he faced political pressure to approve Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to Washington, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer confronted a parliamentary showdown over the nomination.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure after revelations that Peter Mandelson was appointed ambassador to Washington despite red flags in a security vetting process tied to Jeffrey Epstein; Starmer says he was unaware of the override, while opponents call for accountability as Labour risks electoral fallout.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a grilling by lawmakers over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador, drawing scrutiny to the selection process and its diplomatic implications.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer heads into a crucial week as new disclosures allege Peter Mandelson failed security vetting for his 2025 appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, with officials reportedly overriding reservations after Starmer had already announced the appointment. Starmer says he was unaware of the vetting failure; Downing Street says the Foreign Office concealed nothing from him, while Mandelson is under investigation for alleged leaks to Jeffrey Epstein and Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top civil servant, was dismissed as he prepares to testify to Parliament. The saga unfolds ahead of local elections and amid questions of leadership and judgment from Starmer’s government, fueling opposition calls for accountability and potential internal challenges.
Keir Starmer says he was not informed that Mandelson failed security vetting before becoming Britain’s envoy to Washington, prompting renewed calls for his resignation as Mandelson’s Epstein ties come under scrutiny and a police probe begins; Starmer pledges to lay out all relevant facts to Parliament, while the government faces questions about the vetting process and due process.
Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s permanent secretary, is leaving after the department overruled the vetting agency to allow Lord Mandelson to take up the US ambassador post; Mandelson was later dismissed over Epstein ties, prompting renewed questions about the prime minister’s judgement and triggering political fallout and calls for accountability.
Former UK minister Peter Mandelson, sacked as the UK ambassador to the US last year and under criminal investigation over Epstein-related ties, could face a £300 fixed penalty for urinating in a London street; Kensington and Chelsea Council cannot locate a valid address to issue the notice, so the fine has not yet been issued, and it could drop to £150 if paid within two weeks.
SNL UK’s second cold open spoofed Prince Andrew, retelling his 1997-era mission with MI5 to make Prince Charles more likable for his future kingship, even tying in Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Mandelson. The sketch climaxes with the line about befriending Epstein and the reveal of the code word “Pizza Express Woking” to exit the plan. Jamie Dornan hosts in the UK debut hosted by a non‑American, while the show airs on Sky One with Peacock carrying it in the US the following day.
A newly released DOJ document contains the first known photo showing Prince Andrew, Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein together, likely taken in Martha's Vineyard around 1999–2000; the image does not imply wrongdoing. Both Andrew and Mandelson have faced misconduct investigations over Epstein ties, and the broader Epstein saga—his 2019 death and Maxwell's sentence—frames the ongoing public record.
Former PM Gordon Brown has pressed deeper into the Epstein affair, seeking documents on Peter Mandelson’s alleged links and pushing for police inquiries, drafting a strong Guardian piece and rallying allies and journalists to uncover Britain’s role. Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and Brown’s post‑PM activism—plus a forthcoming VAT charity policy—signals a persistent, morally driven campaign that has provoked mixed reactions within Labour.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting published his private messages with former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, presenting them as not close friends while using the disclosures to counter smears as he pursues a leadership bid. The exchanges show Streeting fearing he could lose his seat, criticising the government’s lack of a growth strategy, and weighing Labour’s stance on Palestine recognition amid Mandelson’s controversial appointment and ongoing investigations.
Broadcaster Andrew Marr says Keir Starmer's government could crumble within days after the resignation of his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney amid fallout from Peter Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein, with leadership questions and possible successors like Angela Rayner or Wes Streeting looming as Starmer addresses Labour MPs.
Morgan McSweeney has resigned as prime minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff, saying he takes full responsibility for advising Peter Mandelson's appointment; Starmer defends him, Badenoch says the move was 'about time', and the Labour government now faces questions over leadership and who will fill the role next amid ongoing Mandelson-related controversy.
Sir Keir Starmer apologised to Epstein's victims for believing Lord Mandelson's 'lies' and for appointing him as the UK’s US ambassador, saying he wouldn't have done so with the full truth; he also signalled that files vetting Mandelson will be released to Parliament as MPs demand accountability amid calls for his resignation and a broader political backlash.
Sir Keir Starmer questioned Peter Mandelson about his links to Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him as UK ambassador to the US, but new emails revealing supportive messages to Epstein led to Mandelson's sacking amid scrutiny over his relationship with the convicted paedophile.