"Documents released by the government include advice sent to the prime minister which said the pair's relationship continued after the financier's conviction for procuring an underage girl in 2008. The PM's chief secretary Darren Jones said the due diligence process "fell short" and the government had already taken steps to address "weaknesses in the system"."
"When Lord Mandelson was appointed, supporters argued the Labour veteran's contacts across business and politics, as well as his ability to charm, would help him to develop a strong relationship with the incoming Trump administration. However, a due diligence document sent to the PM on 11 December 2024 - nine days before he was confirmed as ambassador - raised a number of issues which could pose a "reputational risk"."
"Lord Mandelson was sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US last September, following new revelations about the extent of his friendship with Epstein. The files - running to 147 pages - are the first batch relating to his appointment to be released."
Lord Mandelson was warned before his confirmation as US ambassador that his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein posed significant reputational risks. Government documents reveal that Mandelson's connection with the convicted financier continued after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring an underage girl. The Prime Minister's chief secretary acknowledged the due diligence process fell short and announced steps to address system weaknesses. Mandelson was eventually sacked from the ambassador position in September following new revelations about his friendship with Epstein. Documents show he explored a severance payment exceeding £500,000 after dismissal, though he disputes this characterization. The Foreign Office ultimately agreed to pay £75,000.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]