Sir Keir Starmer is facing renewed scrutiny after a private message praising Peter Mandelson emerged from the so-called “Mandelson Files”, deepening the political fallout over the ambassadorial appointment.
The message, reportedly sent the night before Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador was announced, shows the Prime Minister telling the peer he was “really looking forward” to “working side by side” with him and that he would be “brilliant in challenging circumstances”.
The disclosure comes during a turbulent period for Downing Street, following the dismissal of senior civil servant Olly Robbins and accusations that No 10 misled Parliament over the vetting process.
The leaked correspondence is understood to have been uncovered among documents being compiled by Cabinet Office officials after MPs demanded full disclosure of materials related to the appointment.
The controversy has been further inflamed by claims that Downing Street exerted pressure to accelerate Lord Mandelson’s appointment, with Sir Olly previously telling MPs that there was a “dismissive” attitude towards due diligence and an urgency to install him in Washington.
Additional reports have suggested other sensitive documents may exist but could remain unpublished, including what has been described as a “warm” note sent to Lord Mandelson on the day of his dismissal.
The scandal has widened beyond the ambassadorial appointment itself, with separate criticism directed at No 10 over efforts to secure a diplomatic role for Matthew Doyle, the Prime Minister’s former communications chief.
It has also emerged that the National Crime Agency had been alerted to further allegations relating to Lord Mandelson as early as 2024, with officials reportedly informing Downing Street at the time.
The episode has triggered significant upheaval within Whitehall, with multiple senior figures departing their roles over the past two years, including chiefs of staff, Cabinet secretaries and communications directors.
Political pressure on Sir Keir has intensified in recent days, with calls for his resignation extending beyond opposition parties to include several Labour MPs, and reports that at least one Cabinet minister has also urged him to step aside.
The developments mark a deepening crisis for the Prime Minister, with internal tensions within Labour now increasingly visible as the controversy continues to unfold.
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