Starmer Admits Mandelson Appointment Was a 'Mistake' at Heated PMQs
Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted at Prime Minister's Questions on Thursday that his appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK's US ambassador was a "mistake," and apologised to victims of Jeffrey Epstein, as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed him relentlessly over the controversy.
The heated PMQs session saw Badenoch accuse Starmer of a potential cover-up over missing documents related to Mandelson's vetting process, and question why Mandelson received a £75,000 severance payout after being sacked. Starmer acknowledged that Mandelson "was asked questions and gave untruthful replies" during the vetting process.
Key Developments
Badenoch accused Starmer of trying to avoid scrutiny on the matter and suggested that documents related to the appointment, including Starmer's own comments on "box notes," were missing or had been "removed." Downing Street denied claims of a cover-up, stating that no notes by Starmer were redacted and he simply did not fill out the relevant box.
Following pressure from Labour MPs and interventions from senior figures including Angela Rayner, the government agreed to release the Mandelson files to Parliament's intelligence committee. The Metropolitan Police had requested that certain documents not be released as they could "undermine our current investigation" into allegations that Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to Epstein.
Background
The Mandelson scandal has been one of the most damaging episodes of Starmer's premiership, leading to the resignations of his Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and Director of Communications Tim Allan in February 2026. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had called for Starmer to resign following those resignations, though cabinet ministers publicly supported him.
Badenoch suggested that in "any normal circumstances the Prime Minister would be resigning" due to being "shown to have lied to the Commons" and displaying a "complete lack of judgment." Liberal Democrats urged Starmer to refer himself to the ethics adviser for potentially misleading parliament.
Why It Matters
The Mandelson controversy continues to undermine public confidence in Starmer's government at a critical time, with local elections just weeks away and Labour trailing Reform UK in the polls. The release of documents to the intelligence committee will be closely scrutinised for any further revelations about the appointment process.
What's Next
The independent adviser is continuing to look into the Mandelson appointment process. The intelligence committee will review the released documents and may call for further evidence. The controversy is expected to remain a major political issue in the run-up to the May local elections.
Full PMQs coverage available at BBC News.
