Epstein Shadow Looms Over Downing Street: Starmer Under Fire for Controversial Mandelson Appointment

United Kingdom - Ekhbary News Agency

Epstein Shadow Looms Over Downing Street: Starmer Under Fire for Controversial Mandelson Appointment

The publication of new documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has unleashed a political storm across the United Kingdom, extending beyond the usual royal circles and their scandals. At the heart of this fresh controversy stands Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is grappling with a growing internal crisis within the Labour Party after it was revealed he appointed Peter Mandelson, an iconic figure of 'New Labour,' as ambassador to Washington, despite prior warnings about his connections to Epstein. This development has generated profound outrage among Labour MPs, who are critical of what they perceive as Starmer's flawed judgment and his team's handling of the situation.

The saga began to intensify last week with the dissemination of new files by the U.S. Department of Justice, detailing the complexities of Epstein's network. Among the names that resurfaced with force, that of Peter Mandelson, known in British political circles as 'the Prince of Darkness' for his shrewdness and ability to manoeuvre in the shadows, captured public attention. Mandelson, a key figure alongside Tony Blair in the 'New Labour' era, found himself embroiled in accusations suggesting an intense complicity with Epstein, which has now jeopardized Downing Street's reputation.

It was Keir Starmer, in a move now widely seen as audacious and, for many, reckless, who insisted on appointing Mandelson as ambassador to Washington approximately a year ago. The decision was made against the advice of some of his own aides, who had expressed concerns about Mandelson's 'tainted' relationship with Epstein. The official justification for his appointment rested on Mandelson's vast diplomatic experience and excellent contacts in the U.S. capital, deeming him the ideal agent to navigate the complexities of the Donald Trump administration. However, just eight months later, Mandelson was forced to resign when the initial Epstein documents came to light, revealing the depth of his connection to the financier.

This Wednesday, Starmer appeared before Parliament for the weekly Prime Minister's Questions, a high-pressure arena where he attempted to contain the flood of criticism. In a bid to distance himself from the controversy, Starmer adopted a firm and condemnatory stance towards Mandelson, publicly accusing him of 'betraying his country.' The Prime Minister expressed deep regret for his decision, stating: "He repeatedly lied to my team when questioned about his relationship with Epstein, both before and after his appointment as ambassador. I regret appointing him. Had I known then what I know now, I would not have allowed him near my government."

Nevertheless, Starmer's admission that he was warned during the selection process about Mandelson's 'questionable' relationship with Epstein in previous years has added further fuel to the fire. This revelation has further eroded trust within his own party, triggering an internal rebellion that threatens to destabilize his leadership. The indignation has manifested particularly around the government's initial handling of document disclosure. Downing Street's original proposal reserved the right not to release information that could affect 'national security or international relations,' a clause many interpreted as an attempt to conceal potentially embarrassing or compromising details related to figures such as Donald Trump.

Internal dissent has found a powerful voice in Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister and current political rival to Starmer, who has spearheaded the revolt. Rayner demanded in Parliament that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, an independent body, assume responsibility for deciding which documents would be made public. This move not only reflected the distrust of many left-leaning MPs towards Starmer and his advisor Morgan McSweeny, whom they blame for a perceived rightward shift in government policies and for pushing Mandelson's appointment, but also forced the Prime Minister's team to concede. By the end of the afternoon, Parliament gave the green light to a mechanism granting the committee authority to filter the documents, a clear setback for Starmer's authority.

Parallel to the political crisis, the Metropolitan Police in London has opened a formal investigation into Peter Mandelson. Authorities have requested that evidence not be published if it could interfere with their inquiries. Epstein's documents have revealed that Mandelson allegedly leaked confidential financial information to the American billionaire in 2009, at a time when the politician was still part of Gordon Brown's government and amidst a global financial crisis that had already sparked public anger. This additional layer of accusations not only complicates Mandelson's position but also adds a deeper, more troubling dimension to the crisis facing Starmer, who is forced to navigate a complex web of ethics, politics, and justice at a crucial moment for the future of the Labour Party and the United Kingdom itself.

Ekhbary News Agency