Starmer under fire over Mandelson vetting

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing calls to resign
after it emerged that Peter Mandelson was appointed as U.S.
ambassador despite failing a vetting process

STARMER-MANDELSON SAGA

Dec 2024: Sir Keir Starmer (right)
says he is ÒdelightedÓ to appoint
Lord Mandelson (far right) as
U.S. ambassador

Appointment follows due diligence
check by Cabinet Office, including
review of media reports on
MandelsonÕs past friendship
with late convicted sex offender
Jeffrey Epstein (right)

Jan 2025: Mandelson
fails initial security vetting,
according to Guardian
investigation published in
Apr 2026. Decision reportedly
overruled by Foreign Office
without Downing StreetÕs
knowledge

Feb 2025: Mandelson begins role
as U.S. ambassador (above)

Jul: Wall Street Journal reveals
documents from Epstein estate,
including alleged 2003 birthday
message from Mandelson calling
sex offender his Òbest palÓ

Sep: Starmer sacks Mandelson
after documents show Labour peer
sent supportive emails to Epstein
while he was facing charges in 2008

Feb 1, 2026: Mandelson
resigns from Labour party
after files released by U.S.
justice department reveal
further correspondence
between him and Epstein

Feb 8: StarmerÕs
chief adviser Morgan
McSweeney (left) resigns
from government over
MandelsonÕs appointment

Feb 23: Mandelson arrested on
suspicion of misconduct in public
office. He is later released but police
say he remains under investigation

Mar 11: New files show Starmer
was warned of Òreputational risksÓ of
appointment but there is no mention
that Mandelson did not pass
vetting process

Apr 16: Starmer
says he did not know
Mandelson failed
vetting process until
two days previously,
on Apr 14. Foreign Office head
Olly Robbins (above) sacked

Source: BBC
Pictures: Getty Images
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