The Metropolitan Police have initiated a formal criminal investigation into serious allegations that former Labour minister Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This development comes amid mounting political pressure over Mandelson's recent appointment as UK ambassador to the United States.
Conservative Parliamentary Maneuver
Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch has announced plans to trigger a rare parliamentary procedure known as a 'humble address' during Wednesday's opposition day debate. This mechanism, previously used to force disclosure of Brexit documents, would compel the government to release all communications and records related to Mandelson's ambassadorial appointment process.
Labour MPs have indicated they are unlikely to oppose the Conservative motion, which would require publication of the complete vetting documentation, including due diligence reports, conflict of interest forms, and all digital communications between key officials.
Scope of the Investigation
The police investigation focuses on allegations that Mandelson shared market-sensitive information and Downing Street emails with Epstein. Meanwhile, the parliamentary motion seeks to uncover what was known about Mandelson's connections to Epstein during the appointment process and why proper vetting procedures may have been circumvented.
Badenoch stated that Labour MPs face a clear choice: "support our efforts to reveal the truth about how and why Peter Mandelson was appointed ambassador to Washington despite his known links to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein" or enable government figures to avoid scrutiny.
Key Figures Under Pressure
The controversy has placed significant pressure on several senior figures:
- Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer's chief of staff, who reportedly advocated strongly for Mandelson's appointment
- Oliver Robbins, senior Foreign Office official involved in the appointment process
- Keir Starmer, who has already handed a dossier on Mandelson to police and begun proceedings to strip him of his peerage
Conservative sources argue that McSweeney was "deeply implicated" in what they describe as a "sordid affair," while Labour MPs privately express concerns about the thoroughness of the vetting process.
Documentation Demanded
The humble address motion specifically calls for release of:
- All due diligence documentation provided to Number 10
- Mandelson's Conflict of Interest declaration to the Foreign Office
- Security vetting materials including information about his advisory firm Global Counsel
- Minutes of all relevant meetings and digital communications
- Information provided to the Prime Minister before his September 2025 assurance about proper procedures
Political Fallout and Resignation
Mandelson has already resigned from the House of Lords following the allegations, but political pressure continues to mount. Labour MPs have expressed particular concern about Mandelson's contacts with US technology firm Palantir during his ambassadorship, noting that Starmer visited the company during a Washington trip.
One Labour MP described the vetting process as a "botch job," while another noted "a distinct incuriosity from No 10 about the extent of this relationship." The foreign affairs committee has reportedly discussed whether to summon McSweeney for questioning, though as a special adviser he could potentially refuse to appear.
The situation represents one of the most significant political controversies of the current parliamentary session, combining serious criminal allegations with questions about government appointment procedures and transparency.
