Mandelson files surrender puts Starmer’s premiership on the brink

What you need to know

🔹 Keir Starmer will surrender secret vetting documents to a cross-party parliamentary committee. 🔹 The Prime Minister admitted knowing about Mandelson’s post-conviction friendship with Epstein. 🔹 Police are investigating Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office.

S ir Keir Starmer has entered the most perilous position of his premiership following a humiliating parliamentary retreat that has seen the Prime Minister surrender control of secret vetting documents to a cross-party committee.

The crisis, sparked by the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador, has mutated from a question of historical association into a direct challenge to the Prime Minister’s honesty and judgment. At a bruising Prime Minister’s Questions on 4 February, Starmer admitted he was aware of Mandelson’s continued friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction — a moment described by one close ally as “clarifying” and “dark”.

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