UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

Documents released on Wednesday by the British government show officials believed there was a “reputational risk” to appointing Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador because of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The concerns were raised in a document sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson to the role, seen as vital to establish a good relationship with the administration of US President Donald Trump.The document also spelled out other reputational issues over Mandelson’s work in a previous Labour government related to financial matters, including high-profile donors, and his work at Global Counsel, a lobbying firm he co-founded.Lawmakers have forced Starmer’s government to disclose thousands of files about the decision to name Mandelson to the key diplomatic post at the start of Trump’s second term, despite Mandelson’s past friendship with the convicted sex offender.Authorities published more than 100 pages of documents related to those ties on the government website on Wednesday.A print out copy of the documents released by the British government are photographed in London on Wednesday. Photo: APThe government has said the files will show that Mandelson misled officials about the extent of the relationship. But Starmer is facing a political storm over his decision to give him the Washington job.