Ed Miliband says he and Lammy feared Mandelson appointment could blow up'

"Miliband expressed that both he and Lammy were worried about Mandelson's appointment, stating, 'That it could blow up, that it could go wrong.' He emphasized that he had a conversation with Lammy before the appointment, sharing his concerns about the risks involved."

"Miliband criticized Mandelson's connections, saying, 'He should never have been appointed, because of his links with Epstein and his lobbying firm's business ties with Chinese and Russian companies.' This highlights the serious reservations about Mandelson's suitability for the role."

"Miliband noted, 'I steered well clear of Peter Mandelson when I became Labour leader in 2010,' indicating his longstanding apprehension regarding Mandelson's influence and past associations."

Ed Miliband and David Lammy expressed concerns regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to Washington, fearing it could lead to significant issues. Mandelson was dismissed after nine months due to revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Guardian reported that Mandelson had failed his initial security vetting, which was overridden by the Foreign Office. Miliband stated he had warned Lammy about the risks associated with Mandelson's appointment, citing his connections with Epstein and lobbying ties with foreign companies. Despite concerns, Miliband did not believe the prime minister should resign over the matter.

Read at www.theguardian.com