THE SNP have called for Douglas Alexander to be sacked as Scottish Secretary after "gushing" WhatsApp messages revealed Peter Mandelson helped him get selected as a Labour Party candidate in the 2024 General Election.
The UK Government released three 500-page files containing key documents and personal WhatsApp messages between Peter Mandelson and senior government ministers and staff on Monday.
The files showed Alexander was in regular contact with Mandelson ahead of his appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US, despite it being a matter of public record at the time that Mandelson had maintained his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for paedophilia and sex offences.
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, on June 30, 2024 Alexander asked Mandelson for his view on the upcoming election noting that there was “very [sic] little enthusiasm for Labour but a quiet determination to secure change which is our greatest ally”.
On July 7, three days after the election, and following his appointment as a trade minister, Alexander wrote to Mandelson saying: "You probably don't realise quite how influential you've been in this whole improbable journey.
"From your initial encouragement two years ago this month 'Douglas… you're going to have to become all Laboury again!' to your quiet and effective support when Gordon came out for [redacted] in the selection… I won't forget any of it.
"And yes, of course I would value your counsel on trade. Hope we can speak soon. In gratitude and appreciation, Douglas."
This adds to concerns that Mandelson was directly involved in the Scottish Labour Party's selection contests, with previous concerns being raised about other Labour MPs including Morgan McSweeney's wife Imogen Walker.
Elsewhere, despite publicly claiming last month that Mandelson "should not have been appointed" as the Labour government's Ambassador to the United States, it has been revealed Alexander privately welcomed the appointment, congratulating Mandelson by saying "good news for you, for the government and for the country".
SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said the messages showed Mandelson was "pulling the strings of Douglas Alexander and treating him as a puppet" and showed the Labour MP "isn't fit to be in government" and "must be sacked".
She said: "These damning messages make it clear that from the very beginning Peter Mandelson was pulling the strings of Douglas Alexander and treating him as a puppet. This is an embarrassment to Scotland and brings an immense level of shame to our international reputation.
"Despite publicly claiming that Mandelson should never have been appointed, we now know in private Alexander was congratulating Mandelson and sending him gushing praise without a thought for Epstein’s victims or Mandelson’s long-history of scandals.
"What is even more damning for Douglas Alexander is his sycophantic and pitiful messages to Lord Mandelson – calling him the 'comeback kid' when his links to convicted child abuser Jeffrey Epstein were already in the public domain.
"Labour Party figures were already calling for Mr Alexander to quit after he took the party to its worst ever Scottish election result but these messages mean it is no longer just an internal party matter.
"Douglas Alexander has shown appalling judgement and brought shame on Scotland through his relationship with Mandelson."
Alexander and Mandelson's relationship goes right back to the 1990s and the days of New Labour.
From 1997 to 2010, Alexander served as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, transport secretary and international development secretary. Mandelson also served in the cabinets of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as a minister without portfolio, Northern Ireland secretary, business secretary and first secretary of state.
Following his appointment as US ambassador, Mandelson was also congratulated by the then-Scottish secretary Ian Murray, who messaged him: "Congratulations your excellency. What a wonderful appointment."
The Scotland Office has been approached for comment.
