A leaked intelligence dossier compiled by a former senior MI6 Russia analyst alleges that Peter Mandelson was regarded by Russian intelligence services as a “privileged contact” for more than three decades.
The claims, first reported by The Telegraph, are contained in a 2022 report codenamed Project Fish, compiled by ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele through his private intelligence firm Orbis Business Intelligence.
The document alleges that Russian intelligence agencies viewed Mandelson as “one of the most significant RIS (Russian intelligence services) achievements in manipulating UK politics” over the past 30 years.
However, the dossier does not claim that Mandelson knowingly worked for Russian intelligence or engaged in espionage, and provides no evidence of direct wrongdoing.
According to the report, the KGB opened a file on Mandelson in the 1980s while he served as Labour’s director of communications, and allegedly made initial contact around 1990, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It claims he later became a “privileged contact” for Russian intelligence services, who monitored his political rise through government roles and later positions in the European Commission.
The dossier also suggests Russian foreign intelligence services, the SVR, collected material relating to Mandelson’s association with Jeffrey Epstein that could have been used for leverage.
The report references Mandelson’s past role on the board of Russian conglomerate Sistema, alleging this brought him into proximity with individuals linked to intelligence activity posing as business figures.
It also revisits previous allegations relating to his connections with oligarch Oleg Deripaska, which Mandelson has consistently denied.
Separately, the dossier claims Russian services tracked his senior roles in both UK and EU politics, treating him as a long-term figure of interest.
Those close to Mandelson have dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”, insisting he never acted improperly or provided information to Russia.
They also point to his public criticism of the Kremlin over the years, including opposition to Russian state actions affecting Western business interests, which they say led to retaliatory measures against him.
Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to Washington in 2025 despite reported security vetting concerns linked to his international contacts.
Downing Street has not confirmed whether ministers were aware of the contents of the Project Fish dossier prior to his appointment.
Mandelson is currently subject to separate investigations by the Metropolitan Police over alleged leaks linked to Jeffrey Epstein during Gordon Brown’s premiership, while EU authorities have also examined allegations relating to his time as trade commissioner.
He has not been charged with any offence and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Project Fish was produced by Christopher Steele after his departure from MI6 and has not been verified by official intelligence agencies.
Steele’s earlier dossier on Donald Trump drew significant controversy and scrutiny over its sourcing and methodology, and critics have questioned the reliability of subsequent reports compiled by his firm.
The latest allegations are likely to intensify political debate over intelligence influence, elite networks and the vulnerability of senior political figures to long-term foreign surveillance and cultivation.
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