Prime Minister Demands Lords Overhaul to Remove Disgraced Peer
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for urgent modernisation of the House of Lords disciplinary procedures to enable the removal of Peter Mandelson from the upper chamber. This follows explosive revelations about Mandelson's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which have prompted widespread demands for his peerage to be revoked.
Cabinet Secretary Launches Investigation
The cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, has been instructed to investigate Mandelson's actions during his tenure as business secretary in Gordon Brown's government. This investigation comes after newly released emails revealed concerning communications between Mandelson and Epstein regarding government policy matters.
Downing Street confirmed that if Mandelson is called to testify before the US Congress inquiry into the Epstein files, he should comply with the request. A significant tranche of documents released over the weekend has intensified pressure on the former Labour minister.
Revelations About Government Policy Discussions
Emails released on Friday appear to show Mandelson, while serving as business secretary in December 2009, assuring Epstein that he was "trying hard" to change government policy on bankers' bonuses at the financier's request. In the exchange, Epstein asked whether the policy could be modified to tax only the cash portion of bankers' bonuses, to which Mandelson responded: "Trying hard to amend as I explained to Jes last night. Treasury digging in but I am on case."
Further documents suggest Mandelson may have leaked a sensitive government memorandum to Epstein while serving as business secretary. The confidential document, dated 13 June 2009 and written by Nick Butler, then special adviser to Gordon Brown, proposed £20 billion of asset sales and revealed Labour's tax policy plans.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
Documents released by the US Department of Justice appear to show Epstein sent Mandelson $75,000 (£54,725) through three separate payments of $25,000. Correspondence also indicates that Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, successfully requested £10,000 from Epstein in September 2009 to fund an osteopathy course and other expenses. Mandelson has stated he has no recollection of these funds being requested or offered.
Political Fallout and Resignation
Mandelson was dismissed as UK ambassador to Washington last year after details about his relationship with Epstein emerged. On Sunday evening, he resigned his membership of the Labour Party, stating he wished to avoid causing "further embarrassment" following additional revelations about his friendship with Epstein.
A Labour spokesperson confirmed that disciplinary action to expel Mandelson from the party was already underway prior to his resignation. The spokesperson emphasised: "Jeffrey Epstein's heinous crimes destroyed the lives of so many women and girls, and our thoughts remain with his victims."
Cross-Party Demands for Action
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for a full Cabinet Office investigation into Mandelson's links with Epstein and the circumstances surrounding his appointment as US ambassador. Badenoch criticised Starmer's handling of the situation, stating: "If Starmer lacks the backbone to order this investigation, then it will be all the more clear that he bears full responsibility for bringing Mandelson back into British public life despite knowing about the relationship with Epstein."
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has urged the government to introduce legislation to strip Mandelson of his peerage, stating: "It's time now for the government to take immediate action by bringing forward legislation to strip Peter Mandelson of his peerage. It is the very least they can do for the victims and survivors of his friend Jeffrey Epstein."
Procedural Challenges in the Lords
The current legislation for removing a peer has not been utilised since the First World War, and the government believes it would be too complex to apply in Mandelson's case. Starmer's official spokesperson explained: "The prime minister believes that Peter Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords or use the title. However, the prime minister does not have the power to remove it."
Government insiders hope Mandelson will voluntarily resign from the Lords while disciplinary procedures are modernised to allow for easier removal of peers who bring the house into disrepute.
Mandelson's Response
In his resignation statement, Mandelson said: "Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me. While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party."
The political scandal continues to unfold as investigations proceed and pressure mounts for comprehensive reforms to the House of Lords disciplinary system.
