Mandelson's Epstein Ties Raised in UK Ambassador Appointment

0:00Stay informed on the world in two minutes or less with global news today. The British government has released initial documents on Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States late last year. Officials flagged his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein as a major reputational risk during due diligence checks. More papers are due out soon, but the Starmer administration is holding back some to avoid interfering with the police investigation. Those checks from December 4, 2024 noted that Mandelson's relationship with Epstein went on from 2009 to 2, 2011. Even after Epstein's first conviction for procuring an underage girl in 2008, reports even mentioned Mandelson staying at Epstein's place while he was in jail in June 2009. Government advisers warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer that picking someone so personally connected could leave him exposed if problems arose. App officials called the appointment process unusually rushed and raised reservations about it. Philip Barton, a senior foreign office figure at the time, shared those concerns along

1:03with others like the National Security Advisor. The documents also cover Mandelson's severance after his dismissal. He asked for the full remaining four-year salary, over 547,000 pounds, but got just 75,000 pounds total, including some discretionary pay. This episode is supported by our sponsor, C Details in the Description. It is a pillow that plays your podcast and music without earbuds, built for listening in bed, S-O-L-I-SoliPillo.com.