Top government figures to hand over private messages with Mandelson

Senior figures in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government are preparing to hand over all private messages with Lord Mandelson, amid widespread anger over his appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US.

The prime minister has been under pressure to disclose the files after police launched a criminal investigation into claims Lord Mandelson passed sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

On Thursday, Sir Keir apologised to the victims of Epstein for believing Lord Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him when the peer's friendship with the paedophile was already public knowledge.

But despite the prime minister's attempt to defuse the row, some of his own MPs are calling on him to stand down.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Migration Minister Mike Tapp said although this was a "difficult" time for the government, he had confidence in the prime minister.

"I'm pleased to see that the government will be completely transparent with this," Tapp said.

"We'll release the files, for example the vetting files, to show just how deceitful and weasley Peter Mandelson was and demonstrate the lies that he told."

The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately.

The government has not indicated when it plans to publish any documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment publicly.

MPs have forced the government to give a cross-party parliamentary committee a role in deciding whether files considered damaging to national security or diplomatic affairs can be released.

The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament met on Thursday and in a letter to the prime minister, said it expected the documents to be put before MPs "very shortly".

But the Metropolitan Police, which is investigating Lord Mandelson, has told the government not to release "certain documents" that could undermine its criminal inquiry.

There is frustration in government over the Metropolitan Police's request.

The prime minister and other ministers have argued that Lord Mandelson lied during the vetting process about the extent of his relationship with Epstein, and they insist these documents will prove them right.

But the Mandelson files that the government must release go much wider than just that around his appointment.

They include all electronic communications - which could include WhatsApp messages and emails - between Lord Mandelson and government ministers, officials and special advisers during his time as ambassador.

That information has the potential to be embarrassing for people in government previously close to Mandelson, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

All of that information is likely to take several months to discover, and eventually publish.

No 10's former communications director warned the disclosure of private messages could drag more public figures into the scandal.

"I don't think anyone can understate the gravity of the situation," James Lyons told BBC Newsnight.

He said Wednesday's approval of the release of documents about Lord Mandelson's appointment meant "we could just be in the foothills here".

"We've seen with the Covid inquiry how a huge amount of stuff can be thrown up through that.

"I think this is at least the biggest scandal since the expenses scandal of 2009."

The underlying anger among Labour MPs towards Sir Keir is still palpable.

Labour MP Brian Leishman told the BBC Sir Keir had "shown an incredible misjudgement in appointing Peter Mandelson and it goes beyond saying sorry".

"Keir Starmer has to have a really good look at himself," Leishman said.

"Has his judgment been good enough for that office? I think the answer is a categorical no."

Labour backbencher Simon Opher said Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who was close to Lord Mandelson, should go over the scandal.

Opher said the prime minister "needs to change his advisers in Number 10", adding that politicians "really rely on people to cover our backs, our advisers, and they patently haven't done that".

Lord Mandelson was sacked last September, following the emergence of new emails revealing supportive messages he sent to Epstein after he pleaded guilty to sex offences.

In recent days, more documents released by the US Department of Justice have laid bare the extent of their relationship.

They include emails suggesting Epstein made payments worth thousands of pounds to Lord Mandelson and his partner.

Police are investigating allegations of misconduct in public office, after other emails in the files suggested Lord Mandelson forwarded on market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary during the financial crisis in 2009.

Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.