Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he regrets appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States, accusing him of repeatedly lying during the vetting process.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer said Mandelson had “lied, lied and lied again” and described his conduct as a “litany of deceit” and “beyond infuriating”. He said the former ambassador had betrayed his party, Parliament and the country.
The comments came after the launch of a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson, who has been accused of passing market-sensitive government information to US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer told MPs that he was unaware of the “depth” of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein at the time of the appointment. He said the vetting process had noted the ongoing connection but claimed Mandelson had misled officials throughout questioning.
The prime minister said all material relating to the appointment process would be made available to MPs, except for information considered highly sensitive on intelligence and trade matters.
He also confirmed that his team was drafting legislation to remove Mandelson’s peerage and said he had agreed with Charles III that Mandelson should be stripped of his membership of the Privy Council.
Starmer added that he had “full confidence” in his Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, following Conservative claims that senior officials had failed to properly scrutinise the appointment.
The prime minister’s remarks marked a sharp departure from his usual restrained public style, with his language reflecting anger and frustration over the controversy.
Despite the government’s efforts to distance itself from Mandelson, questions remain over what ministers knew before his appointment and what checks were carried out. Officials have said it may take several weeks before key documents are published.