Starmer overruled warning of ‘reputational risk’ over Mandelson appointment, files show

Newly released documents also show Peter Mandelson was offered highly classified briefings before formal vetting was complete

Keir Starmer overruled officials who warned of a “reputational risk” in making Peter Mandelson US ambassador, despite being handed a dossier of evidence about the peer’s relationship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, documents reveal.

The disclosure in newly released files will raise fresh questions about Starmer’s judgment – as well as about the vetting procedures at the highest levels of government.

Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially asking the Foreign Office to pay him more than £500,000;

Starmer was warned before appointing Mandelson that he remained in contact and stayed with Epstein after the financier was first convicted of procuring an underage girl in 2008;

Powell told an investigation that he thought the appointment was “weirdly rushed”;

Starmer was reassured about Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein by Matthew Doyle, his former communications chief and a friend of Mandelson. Doyle said he was “satisfied” with Mandelson’s explanation of the relationship.