Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has intensified pressure on current Labour leader Keir Starmer by declaring that the ongoing controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson's connections to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein constitutes a "serious" examination of the prime minister's authority and judgement.
Brown's Radio Intervention on Starmer's Challenge
Speaking during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Brown offered a defence of Starmer's personal integrity while simultaneously outlining the urgent task now facing the Labour leader. Brown emphasised that Starmer must work to restore public trust following his decision to appoint Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States, despite existing concerns about Mandelson's past associations.
"There's always speculation in politics—it happened to me, it happened to Tony Blair," Brown stated during the broadcast. "But this situation is serious. The task ahead is very clear. We must undertake a complete clean-up of the system, putting an end to corruption and unethical behaviour once and for all."
Concerns Over Timing and Future Decisions
The former Labour leader added that while he believes Starmer genuinely wants to "do the right things," the prime minister may have been "too slow" to take decisive action regarding the Mandelson appointment. Brown suggested that Starmer's leadership will now be judged primarily on the decisions he makes in the coming months as this controversy continues to unfold.
Police Investigation Intensifies Scrutiny
Brown's intervention comes as police authorities continue their investigation into Peter Mandelson regarding allegations of misconduct in public office. This inquiry follows the release of US Department of Justice files that detailed Mandelson's contact with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier convicted of sex trafficking offences in 2008.
As part of this ongoing investigation, officers have executed search warrants at two properties connected to Mandelson. The police are examining whether market-sensitive government information was improperly shared during Mandelson's tenure as business secretary throughout the financial crisis period.
Mandelson has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not been arrested or charged in connection with these allegations.
Brown's Regret and Broader Systemic Concerns
Brown, who originally appointed Mandelson to cabinet in 2008, expressed profound regret about that decision in light of recent revelations. "I now greatly regret that appointment," Brown admitted. "I feel shocked, sad, angry, betrayed and let down by what has emerged."
The former prime minister elaborated on the potential consequences, stating: "This involved financially secret information. Britain's economic stability was at risk because of that. Our currency faced potential danger, and there's no doubt that significant commercial damage could have occurred—and perhaps did occur."
Brown further suggested that this episode reveals broader failures in government vetting procedures and oversight mechanisms at the highest levels. He proposed that the United Kingdom should consider implementing US-style confirmation hearings for senior governmental appointments to prevent similar situations in future.
Political Pressure Mounts Within Labour
While Brown stopped short of calling for Starmer's resignation, acknowledging that leadership speculation is inevitable in political circles, his remarks contribute to growing pressure on the current Labour leader from within his own party. Several Labour MPs have questioned Starmer's decision to maintain Mandelson's ambassadorial appointment despite prior knowledge of Mandelson's continued relationship with Epstein following the financier's 2008 conviction.
Starmer has publicly stated that he will "rise to the challenge" of restoring confidence in government standards as the investigation progresses. However, critics increasingly view the Mandelson affair as a defining test of his leadership capabilities and judgement during a period of heightened political scrutiny.
