"If only there had been some kind of clue. The tiniest of hints that Peter Mandelson might not have been a suitable candidate to act as the UK ambassador in Washington. Like being forced to resign from the cabinet over a failure to disclose a loan from Geoffrey Robertson. Like being forced to resign from the cabinet a second time over allegations of trying to procure a passport for the Hinduja brothers."
"Like his friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But no. Keir Starmer and the civil service vetting committee apparently looked at all this and thought: You know what? That's just what we need. We can't think of anyone better to be our US ambassador. The very faults that might have disqualified other candidates became a huge positive for Mandy."
"It isn't just Mandelson's reputation that is in tatters. Mandy is as Mandy does, and the moral emptiness of his dark heart has long been a matter of record. It's also Starmer's judgment that has come under scrutiny and been found wanting. A diplomatic post that should have gone to someone of the very highest standards in public life instead went to the man with none. A race to the bottom in a desperate search for an expert Trump wrangler."
Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to Washington despite a history of resignations over undisclosed loans and passport allegations, financial ties to oligarchs, and friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. The appointment suggests vetting prioritized traits perceived useful with Donald Trump—shameless sycophancy and attraction to extreme wealth—over integrity. The choice damaged Mandelson's reputation and raised questions about Keir Starmer's judgment. A role that required the highest standards instead went to a controversial figure, producing a race to the bottom and an ambassador who appeared to serve US interests more than Britain's. A junior minister faced the immediate political fallout.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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