Prime Minister Keir Starmer Ignored Warnings and Appointed Epstein Pal Peter Mandelson as U.S. Ambassador

The British government published the first tranche of documents on March 11, 2026 revealing that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had been explicitly warned that appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington posed “reputational risks” because of Mandelson’s long-standing ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, yet pressed ahead with the appointment.

“According to sources cited by the local press, the document explicitly warned of the political and diplomatic consequences the decision could carry”

ABC

Multiple media outlets reported that a Cabinet Office “due diligence” note and other files were provided to Starmer days before the December 2024 confirmation and that the files flagged the relationship as a political liability.

ABC

The disclosure follows pressure from MPs and the opposition to make records public and comes during an ongoing police inquiry into Mandelson’s conduct.

The released papers included a Cabinet Office due-diligence checklist and other material documenting contacts between Mandelson and Epstein that extended beyond Epstein’s 2008 conviction: officials noted the relationship continued “across 2009-2011” and recorded that Mandelson “reportedly stayed in Epstein’s house while he was in jail in June 2009.”

The files also referenced a 2019 JP Morgan report describing Epstein’s “particularly close” relationship with Mandelson and flagged other reputational questions, such as Mandelson’s previous government resignations and consultancy work.

Al Jazeera

Senior officials raised procedural and judgment concerns during and after the appointment.

“He does not face allegations of sexual misconduct”

Anchorage Daily News

National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell described the hiring as “weirdly rushed” in notes of a September call, and other officials registered unease about the process; Starmer has said Mandelson “lied repeatedly” about the extent of his friendship.

Mandelson was sacked from the Washington post in September 2025 after press revelations, and the released papers show internal exchanges in which Downing Street sought further explanation about Mandelson’s conduct.

The published files and U.S. Department of Justice material prompted a criminal inquiry: police arrested Mandelson in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations he passed sensitive information to Epstein, though he has denied wrongdoing and was released on bail.

The released government emails and US files also showed Mandelson sought an unusually large severance — requesting roughly £547,000 before settling for a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout when he was sacked.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The political fallout has been severe: opposition MPs and some within Labour pressed Starmer hard over his judgment, his chief of staff and communications director resigned, and the government pledged to publish more files while coordinating with police to avoid prejudicing the investigation.

“He has previously said he did not know the extent and depth of the pair's relationship when Lord Mandelson was appointed in December 2024”

BBC

Starmer has apologised for the appointment and to Epstein’s victims, and ministers say the publication is intended to show what was known while lessons are learned to strengthen vetting and appointment procedures.

BBC