Sir Keir Starmer faces potential embarrassment from the first release of the Mandelson files because police are blocking publication of key documents that may show the disgraced ex-ambassador lied about his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Government is preparing to publish the first tranche of documents on Lord Peter Mandelson’s highly controversial appointment as ambassador to the United States early next month, a move announced shortly before the peer was arrested on Monday.
But The i Paper understands police continue to block the release of key exchanges between the Prime Minister’s ex-chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and Mandelson, which Starmer is likely to argue prove the peer lied about his relationship with sex offender Epstein. Police fear publication of these documents could prejudice the criminal investigation and potential trial.
Starmer is expected to be allowed to publish a Cabinet Office due diligence document on Mandelson early next month, however.
It comes as Mandelson reportedly hit back against his arrest on Monday night on suspicion of misconduct in public office. According to his lawyers, Mischon de Reya, he was arrested because of the “baseless suggestion” he was a flight risk.
They added that Mandelson had agreed to attend a voluntary interview next month.
“The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country,” the statement said.
Staggered document release could be embarrassing
This has the potential to be embarrassing as it reportedly includes details about Mandelson staying in Epstein’s apartment when he was in jail for sex offences and a JP Morgan report saying the two men were “particularly close”.
The due diligence document is likely to lead to fresh questions about Starmer’s judgment and why he approved Mandelson’s appointment, without him being able to also reveal correspondence which he believes will show the ex-ambassador lied about his Epstein links.
Both the police and Government deny there are tensions between them over the documents, although it is widely believed that No 10 would prefer to get as many papers out into the open as soon as possible to help Starmer make his case about Mandelson’s dishonesty.
The Prime Minister has faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Mandelson as ambassador despite his links to Epstein, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calling for him to resign earlier this month.
The Prime Minister had admitted to knowing about Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with Epstein, but said the peer “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship when questioned on it.
Under pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties, the Prime Minister agreed to release all the documents relating to the appointment.
‘We want to be transparent’
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson on Tuesday told Sky News the Government still plans to publish documents despite the police probe into Mandelson.
“But we do just need to be mindful of any documents we publish given the nature of the ongoing police investigation,” she said.
“So, we want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing that’s published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation.”
Mandelson was released on bail after being arrested at his home on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to Epstein and later released on bail.
The former Labour Cabinet minister has been accused of passing on information to the convicted paedophile when he was business secretary, with two of his properties searched by police.
Mandelson says he has not acted criminally was motivated by financial gain.
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