All posts tagged: Peter Mandelson

Peter Mandelson investigation ‘on brink of collapse after Met’s request for information ignored by US’

Peter Mandelson investigation ‘on brink of collapse after Met’s request for information ignored by US’

Published by Sam Flores

The Metropolitan Police‘s investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson is reportedly on the brink of collapse after US authorities ignored requests for information. The former US Ambassador faces charges of misconduct in public office over allegations he passed confidential information to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis. But in order for Scotland Yard to properly investigate, detectives believe they need access to the unredacted Epstein files. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) and FBI have so far ignored the Met’s request for the documents, The Daily Telegraph reported. Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador due to his links with Jeffrey Epstein (PA Wire) The appeal was initially made under an informal agreement between the organisations to share information, but the Met is said not to have received an acknowledgement. British police have now escalated their request through the formal mutual legal assistance process, which could take years. It means Lord Mandelson’s lawyers could also argue that emails currently held by police are partly redacted, do not provide a complete picture …

Keir Starmer ‘broke the law’ shifting blame for Lord Mandelson | Politics | News

Keir Starmer ‘broke the law’ shifting blame for Lord Mandelson | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

That led to months of fury in Westminster, with the Prime Minister facing repeated questions about what he knew and when. It also threw into doubt the vetting process which took place to grant the disgraced peer access to sensitive documents ahead of his appointment to the plum Washington posting. Senior civil servants were forced out of their jobs – such as foreign office chief Sir Olly Robbins – over the scandal. Sir Olly is now taking legal action against the government, for what he claims was an unfair dismissal. Even members of Sir Keir’s own inner circle found themselves out of a job, as the embattled Prime Minister fought to remain in Number 10. Now, fresh accusations have been levelled against the outgoing Prime Minister, who will cease to be the top dog on 20 July after Andy Burnham takes over. Sir Simon Case, the former Head of the Civil Service, told LBC’s Andrew Marr that he feels Sir Keir made a “big mistake” in giving Sir Olly the boot, and called the dismissal …

Top civil servant sacked by Starmer over Mandelson vetting in talks to work for Burnham

Top civil servant sacked by Starmer over Mandelson vetting in talks to work for Burnham

Published by Sam Flores

A former top civil servant dramatically sacked by Keir Starmer earlier this year amid a furious row over Peter Mandelson‘s failed security vetting is in talks to work for Andy Burnham. Sir Olly Robbins, who was the most senior mandarin at the Foreign Office, is having discussions about a possible security-related role if new Labour MP Mr Burnham becomes prime minister, The Independent understands. The move could mark a triumphant return for one of the most high-profile casualties of the Mandelson scandal, which engulfed Sir Keir’s government earlier this year. Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins was effectively sacked in April (PA) Talks between Sir Olly and Team Burnham are understood to be at an early stage, but he has a long pedigree and is highly respected by many within government. The next PM could also have to fill a vacancy soon, with the current national security adviser Jonathan Powell long rumoured to be planning to leave the role. Sir Olly previously served as deputy national security adviser and later as the government’s chief Brexit …

Mandelson and Streeting wooed News UK bosses days before general election

Mandelson and Streeting wooed News UK bosses days before general election

Published by Sam Flores

Newly released Mandelson files reveal a cosy dinner between the former US ambassador, former health secretary Wes Streeting and senior News UK figures days before the 2024 general election. The meeting appears to have been part of a charm offensive led by Streeting seeking backing from the press for Labour in the election. The dinner in question appears to have taken place on 1 July 2024, ahead of the UK general election on 4 July. At the time Lord Mandelson was running a lobbying business called Global Counsel and Streeting was the shadow health secretary. An exchange of Whatsapp messages between Mandelson and Streeting on the morning of 2 July 2024 refers to a dinner involving Lachlan Murdoch (by that stage chairman of News Corp), News UK CEO Rebekah Brooks and Times editor Tony Gallagher. The messages do not make it clear what other News Corp/News UK executives were present. [02/07/2024, 08:19] Peter Mandelson: Message from Rebekah that lachlan really enjoyed the dinner and that they all thought everyone in great form and it felt …

8 Eyebrow-Raising Takeaways From The Peter Mandelson Files

8 Eyebrow-Raising Takeaways From The Peter Mandelson Files

Published by Sam Flores

The government has released the highly-anticipated second tranche of internal files on Peter Mandelson and his brief appointment as ambassador to the US. The ex-Labour peer fell from grace last September after the depth of his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed. But questions remain around why he was appointed in the first place and what kind of influence he had with ministers. The Conservatives forced the Cabinet Office to release all documents related to the controversial hire earlier this year via a parliamentary procedure called a “Humble Address”. The first tranche of documents showed that Mandelson had got the top job against recommendations from security officials. Most ministers and civil servants have handed over their private exchanges with the former Washington attache for the second batch of documents. Some of the files have been redacted amid concerns about international security and the ongoing Metropolitan Police probe into Mandelson’s conduct in public office. The ex-Labour peer has not been charged and insists he is not guilty of any wrongdoing. Deciding to appoint Mandelson …

The Tories think they’re onto a winning plan — even as they keep losing – POLITICO

The Tories think they’re onto a winning plan — even as they keep losing – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The Tories are currently polling at 19 percent, according to YouGov — the same number the party was on before almost a quarter of the Labour Party called on its own prime minister to resign over his short-lived appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. As Scarlett Maguire, pollster and founder of Merlin Strategy, said: “The Conservatives are in a very difficult position tactically. When they criticize Labour — they spent a lot of time working on the Mandelson story — who did it benefit? It benefited Reform.” Badenoch and her top shadow ministers think they can turn that around. The Conservative Party now has a plan to rebuild after a devastating loss in 2024. In the latest episode of the Westminster Insider podcast, POLITICO spoke to a dozen senior people in the party about how they hope to pull themselves back from the brink.  Competent, and maybe boring First up is demonstrated what one senior shadow cabinet member — granted anonymity like others in this article to speak freely on internal …

Major bombshell as huge new Labour cover-up exposed | Politics | News

Major bombshell as huge new Labour cover-up exposed | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

Labour and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with another bombshell over claims Cabinet ministers attempted to conceal their messages with Lord Mandelson from Parliament. It is claimed Government officials dealing with the Mandelson files had to ask ministers to hand over their messages more than once following what has been described in reports as initial reluctance. MPs had demanded the release of documents relating to the former Labour minister’s appointment as US ambassador using a parliamentary motion known as a humble address. Thousands of files have been released so far, with the second tranche due next week. This is expected to include Lord Mandelson’s communications with ministers and other government officials while he was US ambassador. The Telegraph reports that the Cabinet Office was forced to ask twice for the messages, because some ministers initally declined to send a full transcript of their conversations. The newspaper, citing two sources familiar with the process, said officials to begin with had asked for communications between ministers and Lord Mandelson about their ministerial work, not …

Morgan McSweeney swaps UK government for Ukraine-watching – POLITICO

Morgan McSweeney swaps UK government for Ukraine-watching – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

McSweeney, who was credited with meticulously devising Labour’s election success in 2024, is convinced that AI has not yet been used to the full extent of its capability to manipulate elections, and that any polls in Ukraine following a ceasefire will be a lightning rod for malign influence, according to people familiar with his thinking.  His allies say he is conscious of the potential for the use of AI to ramp up in British elections, where public trust in institutions is already low and Nigel Farage’s Reform Party is on the march. The ex-Downing Street aide is expected to appear on a panel alongside media executives and polling specialists Friday. McSweeney is the most prominent figure associated with British politics appearing at the Prague summit, after the Ministries of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office opted not to send any ministers. The conference is not yet seen as a “must-attend” event by government leaders in London, despite the British government’s stated commitment to integrate more closely with European allies on defense and security.  McSweeney’s …

UK deputy ambassador leaves Washington amid security leak probe – POLITICO

UK deputy ambassador leaves Washington amid security leak probe – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson confirmed that Roscoe has left his post but did not immediately respond to further questions. Two people briefed on the matter told POLITICO that Roscoe had faced questions as part of an inquiry into leaked details from an NSC meeting about the war in Iran. A third person, a U.K. official, described the matter as “extremely serious.” His involvement in the inquiry was first reported by The Times. The Spectator reported in March on splits in Keir Starmer’s Cabinet at the top secret meeting over allowing the U.S. to use British bases for the strikes against Iran — a confidence breach described by Deputy PM David Lammy as an “absolute travesty.” Roscoe’s departure comes shortly before another potentially embarrassing release of files relating to Mandelson’s time as top envoy to the U.S., and deals yet another blow to Britain’s damaged diplomatic service. Source link