An “embarrassing” tranche of messages set to be released in the next fortnight will expose the “cosy relationship” between Government ministers and disgraced peer Lord Peter Mandelson, The i Paper can reveal.
These documents will be included in a second wave of files relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, which are expected to be published after MPs return to Parliament on 1 June.
Sources familiar with the contents told The i Paper that the documents include “embarrassing” messages showing that some ministers were “sucking up” to the peer.
While the revelation is likely to heap more pressure on Sir Keir Starmer as he fights for his political survival, insiders claim there is no “smoking gun” likely to bring down the Government.
The source added: “The messages are more embarrassing than anything else and reveal a far too cosy relationship between some ministers and Lord Mandelson.”
The release of the messages risks further damaging the Government’s credibility, particularly if they show that personal loyalty and close relationships mattered more than proper process. They may also reveal the extent of Mandelson’s influence on Labour policy and decision making.
British diplomats have previously raised concerns that the release of emails from “gossipy” Mandelson about Donald Trump could harm the UK’s relations with the US.
Largest publication since the Chilcot Inquiry
Downing Street has confirmed that the next batch of Mandelson files – released in the wake of a Conservative “Humble Address” – will be the biggest publication to Parliament since the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war.
While the Chilcot Inquiry took seven years to complete and ran to more than 6,000 pages, officials said the Mandelson files would be substantially shorter, though still ranking as the second-biggest publication to Parliament ever.
The disclosure follows a tumultuous period for the Government regarding the December 2024 appointment.
Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador last year after new revelations emerged about the extent of his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In February, MPs voted to force the Government to publish all papers relating to the appointment through a parliamentary process called a “Humble Address”. Ministers initially opposed the motion, arguing that it did not want to publish material that could damage national security or diplomatic relations.
However, in a last-minute compromise, the Government agreed to first send sensitive documents to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), which would decide what could and could not be published.
In February, former health secretary and Labour leadership hopeful Wes Streeting released a series of messages between himself and Lord Mandelson in a bid to dispel rumours that he was a “close friend” or “political protégé” of the former ambassador.
The messages, which covered the period from June 2024 to February 2026, showed Streeting had criticised the Government for having “no [economic] growth strategy” and that the pair had texted periodically every few months.
Some files ‘still being withheld from MPs’
The first tranche of documents, released in March, revealed that UK Security Vetting had recommended against clearing Lord Mandelson for the job, but the Foreign Office had nevertheless given him clearance.
Last week, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the next wave of papers would be released after the current Parliamentary recess to give MPs “sufficient time to review the material”.
Despite the upcoming release, the ISC has stated that some documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment are still being “withheld” from MPs.
Lord Beamish, chair of the committee tasked with reviewing the documents, has highlighted Lord Mandelson’s vetting file as one example of a document that has been kept back.
He said that while the Government may have good reasons to withhold some material, it does not have the authority to do so independently.
Lord Beamish has said that ministers should instead seek MPs’ approval to retain certain pieces of information.
It is understood that a minister may now have to return to the House of Commons to explain the reason for the omission.
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