Mandelson Files Detail Appointment, Sacking

Newly released government documents, totaling 147 pages, have revealed details surrounding the appointment and subsequent sacking of Lord Mandelson as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States. The files, released after parliamentary pressure, indicate that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was advised of potential reputational risks associated with Lord Mandelson, including his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prior to his confirmation as ambassador on December 20, 2024. An advisory note from December 11, 2024, highlighted Mandelson's past government sackings and his advocacy for closer UK-China relations as additional concerns.

Lord Mandelson was dismissed from his ambassadorial role in 2025 following public revelations about his friendship with Epstein. Despite the concerns, an email from the documents suggests that his nomination did not pose an issue for the Trump White House. Following his sacking, Lord Mandelson requested a severance payment exceeding £500,000, which Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones deemed "inappropriate and unacceptable." The Treasury ultimately agreed to a payment of £75,000. An official email noted the government's success in reducing the settlement.

The documents also show that Jonathan Powell, the Prime Minister's national security adviser, described Lord Mandelson's appointment as "weirdly rushed" and raised concerns about his reputation to the Prime Minister's former chief of staff. Lord Mandelson is currently under criminal investigation for alleged misconduct in public office.