Starmer Warned of Mandelson-Epstein Ties Before US Ambassador Appointment

0:00On March 12, new government files revealed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was warned about reputational risks from Peter Mandelson's close ties. To Jeffrey Epstein, before appointing him as the UK Ambassador to the United States in December 2024, officials highlighted Mandelson's past, stays at Epstein's properties, including during his jail time in June 2009, and noted the peers. Connections could personally expose the Prime Minister if things went wrong. Despite this, Sir Keir's communications chief, Lord Doyle, a personal friend of Mandelson, was satisfied with his explanations and helped push the appointment through. After Mandelson sacking on September 11, senior figures like National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell pointed fingers at others in number. 10. Calling the hire, weirdly rushed, while internal blame flew around among top aides. The files also detail Mandelson s demand for a $547,000 payout, settling instead on a

1:00special $75,000. Pound package approved by number 10, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, with officials padding themselves on the back for the low cost. He even delayed his U.S. departure by nearly two weeks, citing veterinary needs for his dog. Meanwhile, documents show Mandelson once urged former Prime Minister Tony Blair to meet the young and vibrant Epstein back in 2002, a connection that is drawn fresh scrutiny as these details emerge.