Government releases over 1,500 pages on Mandelson affair

Downing Street released over 1,500 pages of government documents on Monday afternoon relating to Peter Mandelson and his appointment as US ambassador. A government spokesman described the release as "one of the largest document releases ever submitted to Parliament".

The release came after pressure from MPs and contains correspondence between Mandelson and senior ministers in Starmer's government. Reuters reports that the second batch of documents contains key findings about the peer's appointment. Particularly striking: Mandelson refused to hand over his WhatsApp messages, even though the government released other communications.

Diplomatic disaster after nine months

The release shows that Mandelson had assured the government it would "never regret" the appointment. But reality proved different: the peer was removed from his role as ambassador after just nine months – a diplomatic disaster that further damages Starmer's reputation.

Politico reports that ministers were prepared for embarrassing revelations. The documents raise questions about how thoroughly the government vetted Mandelson before his appointment and what warning signs were overlooked. The affair further burdens Starmer's already troubled premiership and points to problems in his cabinet's personnel selection.

The government announced that further documents could follow. The release is intended to create transparency, but appears more like an attempt to maintain control over a crisis that has long spiralled out of control.