UK Releases Mandelson Files, Deepening Starmer Crisis

The UK government published over 1,500 pages of documents related to Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, escalating pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Released on the government's website after 2pm, the trove includes emails, texts, and exchanges among ministers, aides, and Mandelson ahead of his envoy role from February to September 2025. The release follows a March tranche showing official vetting warned of 'reputational risks' over Mandelson's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The scandal has already forced the resignations of Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications director Tim Allan. The scale of the publication—one of the largest parliamentary releases—means its full impact remains unclear, but Starmer faces ongoing backlash from opposition parties and Labour MPs over his judgment in appointing Mandelson, who has a history of resigning in disgrace and is nicknamed 'Prince of Darkness'.