Conservatives submit a series of questions to ministers demanding more details of Mandelson’s links to Epstein
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Today [Thursday 11th September 2025] the Conservatives have tabled
a series of fresh Parliamentary Questions; demanding the Government
provide answers to important questions about the precise nature of
the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Keir Starmer's choice
for UK Ambassador to the US. During PMQs, Kemi Badenoch
repeatedly challenged Keir Starmer about the man he chose to
appoint as British Ambassador to Washington – one of the UK's most
important economic...Request free trial
Today [Thursday 11th September 2025] the Conservatives have tabled a series of fresh Parliamentary Questions; demanding the Government provide answers to important questions about the precise nature of the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Keir Starmer's choice for UK Ambassador to the US. During PMQs, Kemi Badenoch repeatedly challenged Keir Starmer about the man he chose to appoint as British Ambassador to Washington – one of the UK's most important economic and political posts – and challenged the Prime Minister to release all documents and information relating to Mandelson's appointment, and his interests, but time and time again the Prime Minister refused to answer. His spokesman also failed to give further details over what the Prime Minister knew of this relationship, and when – leaving open the prospect that Starmer appointed Mandelson, despite knowing about this intimate relationship. These questions are heightened by the reports that the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney has close ties to Lord Mandelson, with the Chief of Staff reportedly brining the peer ‘back into the fold'. They also come after a spokesman for Lord Mandelson stated in 2023 that he “never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.” The questions submitted include:
Alex Burghart MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “Anyone who watched Keir Starmer squirm at PMQs can see that the Prime Minister is floundering on the issue of what he knew and when, and ultimately why he appointed Mandelson in the first place. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The Government must explain why, despite knowing about Lord Mandelson's links to Epstein and his business dealings, the PM saw fit to clear him to be ambassador. What did the vetting procedure uncover? What did the Prime Minister know and when? “The British public, and the victims of Epstein's horrendous crimes, deserve answers. The Conservatives will fight until Labour provide them.” Notes to Editors The Conservatives are asking questions of Labour about Lord Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Already tabled To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs With reference to the press release of the US Committee on Oversight and Government Reform entitled Oversight Committee Releases Records Provided by the Epstein Estate, Chairman Comer Provides Statement published on 8 September 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of the work of the UK Ambassador to the United States of America of the inclusion of the UK Ambassador's name in records released with this press release. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-09/76023 To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs What due diligence was undertaken for the appointment of the UK ambassador to the US. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-02/74188 [overdue: awaiting response - due for answer by 4 September 2025] Being tabled* To ask the Prime Minister Pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2025, to Question 57228, on Diplomatic Service: Public Appointments, if he will place in the Library a copy of the information provided on Jeffery Epstein during the Developed Vetting process; and if he will instruct the Ambassador to the United States of America to place in the public domain all his previous communications with Jeffery Epstein. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2025, to Question 57228, on Diplomatic Service: Public Appointments, and with reference to the press release of the US Committee on Oversight and Government Reform entitled Oversight Committee Releases Records Provided by the Epstein Estate, Chairman Comer Provides Statement published on 8 September 2025, whether Lord Mandelson was specifically asked about his past connections with Jeffrey Epstein when he had his Developed Vetting interview. Pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2025, to Question 23476, on USA: Diplomatic Service, whether the declarations of interests made by Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador have included his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the associated inclusion in the Epstein Files and the Birthday Book. What meetings the Ambassador to the United States has had with representatives of Global Counsel since his appointment; and whether the Ambassador has accepted gifts or hospitality from Global Counsel. With reference to the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Act disclosure of FOI2025/09712, of 9 September 2025, on the model contract for Permanent Secretaries, if she will place in the Library a copy of (a) the model contract for His Majesty's Ambassadors and (b) the declaration of interests policy for HM Ambassadors. To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Further to the oral contribution of the Prime Minister in response to the Leader of the Opposition at Prime Minister's Questions of 10 September 2025, whether the Department still holds information on Lord Mandelson's meetings with external organisations when Lord Mandelson was Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and external correspondence by the then Secretary of State. Further to the oral contribution of the Prime Minister in response to the Leader of the Opposition at Prime Minister's Questions of 10 September 2025, what role did (a) the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, (b) UK Financial Investments and (c) Ministers of the Crown, under the then Labour Administration, play in the disposal of RBS Sempra Commodities to JP Morgan in 2009-10. *Subject to House of Commons Table Office
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