Government documents reveal mockery and security risks in ex-ambassador Mandelson affair

Failed Security Check and Political Consequences

However, the files show that Mandelson had failed a mandatory security review. Prime Minister Starmer stated that he had not been informed of the negative outcome of the review and subsequently dismissed two responsible officials.

A government spokesperson stated that the decision to override the negative security result and still appoint Mandelson as ambassador was made in the Foreign Office. The opposition accuses Starmer of a massive misjudgment and misleading Parliament.

The documents also reveal biting mockery from Mandelson about the Prime Minister. In a chat message to then-Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden in May 2025, Mandelson wrote: "Keir lacks élan, as does the cabinet as a whole." In July 2025, he described events in Downing Street as "under siege and orphaned."

Internal Criticism and Mockery of the Prime Minister

Mandelson also expressed to McFadden that no one in the cabinet truly knew what Keir thought or wanted. He literally wrote: "None of them really know what Keir thinks or wants. In fact, most of them don't think Keir himself knows what he wants."

Mandelson also recommended a radical change of course for the government, writing: "I dare say one would have to act more in the risk-taking, daredevil style of Trump." His considerations on Trump's controversial "Big Beautiful Bill" and on US tariffs against the United Kingdom are largely redacted in the files.

The affair surrounding Mandelson, who bears the nickname "Prince of Darkness" due to his Machiavellian dealings, had already reached a new dimension last autumn when it became known that he had close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson is alleged to have passed confidential government information to Epstein and received money from him during his time as Business Secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Epstein Connection and the End of the Ambassadorial Career

Epstein, who is accused of abusing more than a thousand minors and young women, was arrested again in July 2019 and found dead in his New York prison cell on August 10, 2019. According to official statements, he took his own life.

Prime Minister Starmer admitted to having known about Mandelson's connections to Epstein but accused his party colleague of not informing the government transparently about the full extent of the relationship. Following the revelations, Starmer dismissed Mandelson as ambassador after only nine months.

The police are investigating Mandelson on suspicion of breach of duty. Mandelson refused to hand over his mobile phone to the authorities for data backup. No charges have been filed against the 72-year-old so far.

Some of the documents relating to Mandelson's appointment are missing from the current publication as they are still the subject of ongoing investigations. The Starmer government has been under pressure for months over the Mandelson affair; there have already been several resignations.