Mandelson news latest: US ambassador sacked over Epstein ties – UK Times

Sir Keir Starmer has asked Lord Peter Mandelson to be withdrawn as ambassador to the United States, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs.

Tory former defence secretary Ben Wallace has claimed that Lord Mandelson should never have been appointed as UK ambassador to the US.

With the Jeffrey Epstein scandal blowing up, Sir Ben has warned that Mandelson threatens to damage the UK’s brand if he stays in position.

He posted on X: “Peter Mandelson must go. From day 1 in DC it was always about him not about UK plc. He has spent his political career ‘regretting’ and ‘resigning’. Why he was ever allowed to represent the Crown and the UK is beyond me.”

Respected former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind has told The Independent that Lord Mandelson’s position as the UK’s ambassador to the US is now “very weak” given the revelations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

For Sir Malcolm the key problem is the messages between the two after the former financier and paedophile was convicted.

He said he would expect Mandelson to fall on his sword as prime minister Sir Keir Starmer struggles to defend him.

Sir Malcolm said: “The revelation of the message he sent to Epstein after Epstein had plead guilty to a sex offence with a minor and been imprisoned, makes Mandelson’s position very weak. I would not be surprised if he chose to resign later today.”

Paula Barker has dropped out of the Labour deputy leadership race, giving her support to Lucy Powell.

She said: “The next deputy leader must listen to the concerns of every section of our party and not be afraid to bring those challenges to the government.

“Being a good team doesn’t mean we can’t be honest, criticism of government, when it’s constructive, makes us stronger.”

Read below for the latest on who is still in the running.

Former chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Alicia Kearns MP has called on her successor, Labour MP Emily Thornberry, to demand that Lord Peter Mandelson returns to the UK for questioning.

MPs are reportedly calling for Lord Peter Mandelson to return from the US for questioning over the latest revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

As a Lord, Mandelson is not required to face questioning from MPs.

But the powerful Foreign Affairs Committee, comprised of many Labour MPs, is reportedly keen for him to return.

Tory MP and Foreign Affairs Committee member Aphra Brandreth has also urged Lord Mandelson to return to Britain to face questioning.

“At a time of huge instability around the globe, it’s vital that the UK’s ambassador to the US is focused completely on his job,” she told the broadcaster in a statement.

“As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I would welcome the opportunity to question Lord Mandelson on his ability to carry out his duties to the UK.”

A Government minister will be forced to answer questions in the Commons about Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has granted an urgent question to Tory Neil O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien said: “The Speaker has granted me an urgent question in Parliament on Peter Mandelson this morning. Starmer gave no answers yesterday, let’s try again.”

Lord Mandelson is not required to be questioned by MPs due to being a Lord.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell has said Lord Peter Mandelson’s role as UK ambassador to the US is “untenable” given his previous relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The Treasury said a new report out on Thursday sets out how the Chancellor will look to fix sudden jumps in business rates, known as “cliff edges”, amid a number of options to encourage growth and investment among firms.

Ms Reeves said: “Our economy isn’t broken, but it does feel stuck.

“That’s why growth is our number one mission.

“We want to see thriving high streets and small businesses investing in their future, not held back by outdated rules or strangled by red tape.

“Tax reforms such as tackling cliff-edges in business rates and making reliefs fairer are vital to driving growth.

“We want to help small businesses expand to new premises and building an economy that works for, and rewards working people.”