TL/DR –
Documents recently released by the British government reveal that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned of potential implications due to Peter Mandelson’s links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein prior to his appointment as the UK ambassador to the US. The documents also disclose that Mandelson, who is currently under investigation for allegedly leaking government documents to Epstein, was paid £75,000 ($106,000) in severance when he was dismissed from the ambassador role. Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, has stated that the government has learned from the appointment and taken steps to improve the system.
Over 100 pages divulge the process of Peter Mandelson’s US envoy appointment despite his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, ignored warnings about “reputational risks” associated with Peter Mandelson’s ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in appointing him as the British Ambassador to the US.
On Wednesday, documents detailing Mandelson’s appointment process, spanning over 100 pages, were made public by the British government. Mandelson, an influential political figure with ties to several Labour Party leaders, is currently being investigated for allegedly leaking government documents to Epstein.
The documents were released as a result of pressure from the opposition Conservative Party. Earlier in January, the US Department of Justice disclosed emails implying that Mandelson had leaked confidential documents containing government’s trade strategies to Epstein, notably during the 2008 financial meltdown.
‘Weirdly rushed’
The newly released documents highlight that even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring an underage girl, their relationship persisted across 2009-2011. The documents also reveal that Mandelson was housed by Epstein during his jail time in June 2009.
One document summarizing a call between Starmer’s general counsel and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell deemed Mandelson’s appointment as “weirdly rushed”.
Upon learning the extent of Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein, Starmer dismissed him from the post of US Ambassador in September last year, although admitting to knowing that Mandelson maintained a relationship with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for sex crimes.
The documents further exposed that Mandelson was paid a severance of 75,000 pounds ($106,000), despite requesting over 500,000 pounds ($670,000), equivalent to four years’ salary, upon his removal as ambassador.
As per Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, the government has acknowledged its shortcomings in the appointment process and is taking necessary measures to “address weaknesses in the system.”
More documents are anticipated to be released later.
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