Investigation into Mandelson's Email Inquiry Disclosed to Starmer Prior to Parliamentary Defense Statement
In a developing political scandal, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting criticism over his handling of emails between former Labour peer Lord Mandelson and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The cache of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, revealed by Bloomberg on Monday, showed that Mandelson had urged Epstein to seek early release from prison. This revelation has drawn renewed focus on Starmer's judgment and his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, has announced an inquiry into Labour's vetting processes due to the dismissal of Mandelson. The Foreign Office became aware of the emails and alerted No 10 on Tuesday. Starmer defended Mandelson at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, but only obtained Mandelson's response and the emails were published by Bloomberg later that day. Starmer claimed he only became aware of the full contents of the emails on Wednesday evening, hours after telling MPs Mandelson was 'playing an important part in the UK-US relationship.' The sequence of events leaves open critical questions about the Prime Minister's failure to press for details before publicly defending Mandelson, the potential withholding of information by Starmer's chief of staff, and the delay in passing on the full picture. The row has exposed weaknesses at the top of government and disquiet within Starmer's party is growing. The scandal has left Britain without an ambassador in Washington on the eve of President Trump's state visit, causing a major diplomatic embarrassment for Starmer's government. Mandelson was formally removed as UK ambassador to Washington on Thursday after Starmer met with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The 'birthday book' containing a note from Mandelson calling Epstein his 'best pal' was released by a US congressional committee on Monday. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of 'lying to the whole country' about what he knew of Lord Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer's explanation for his actions has been met with open scepticism by Labour MPs. As the investigation into Labour's vetting processes continues, questions remain about the transparency and accountability of Starmer's government.
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