Angela Rayner warned Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to concern over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been reported.
The former deputy prime minister told Sir Keir in 2024 handing the job to Lord Mandelson would be a mistake due to his ties to the paedophile financier, according to reports in The Times.
Sir Keir has apologised for believing Lord Mandelson’s “lies” and vowed to hand over documents related to his vetting to parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC).
Former primer minister, Gordon Brown has also spoken out and said he deeply regrets bring Lord Mandelson into office and fears he could have potentially caused “huge commercial damage”.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police searched addresses in Wiltshire and Camden, north London, as part of a misconduct in public office investigation launched into Lord Mandelson.
Officers were seen leaving his London address, carrying boxes on Friday evening. The force said the alleged offences involved a 72-year-old man and confirmed that he had not been arrested.
Key Points
- Angela Rayner ‘told Keir Starmer not to appoint Mandelson’
- Starmer still under pressure as discontent mounts
- Everything we know about searches at Mandelson's homes
- Mandelson ‘portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew,’ says Starmer - watch
- Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
Recap: Starmer under threat over Mandelson appointment
10:20 , Shaheena UddinLast September, Starmer fired Mandelson from his position of US ambassador, but he remained in the Labour party.
Newly released emails from the Epstein files suggest that in 2009, Mandelson sent Jeffrey Epstein a memo written for Brown about possible UK asset sales and tax changes, and in 2010 gave Epstein an advance notice of a 500-billion-euro ($590 billion) bailout by the European Union.
These new revelations have stirred Starmer’s opponents and even those in his own party to question his judgement. Polls have suggested Starmer is already unpopular with the British public, and some lawmakers say his position is under threat.
Mandelson, who resigned from Starmer's Labour Party on Sunday and since quit his position in parliament's upper chamber on Tuesday, has not responded to messages seeking comment.
The Police launched their investigation on Tuesday following the receipt of reports alleging misconduct in public office, including a referral from the government.
Following the announcement of the investigation into Mandelson the government has said it stood "ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need."
Is Angela Rayner ready to march on Starmer’s Westminster?
10:10 , Shaheena UddinWith furious Labour MPs – and the country – baying for blood over Lord Mandelson’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the only thing keeping Keir Starmer in post has been uncertainty over his replacement – but that could be set to change.
The Independent’s Sonia Sodha shares her opinion:
Is Angela Rayner, Queen of the North, really ready to march on Starmer’s Westminster?
Watch: Will Starmer survive Mandelson-Epstein row?
10:00 , Shaheena UddinStarmer under scrutiny for visit to Palantir with Mandelson
09:53 , Shaheena UddinKeir Starmer is under pressure to release information regarding his visit to Palantir’s showroom alongside Lord Mandelson.
Starmer and Mandelson met the company’s CEO Alex Karp and were shown the company’s military technology.
Conservative MP and shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart, urged the cabinet secretary Wormald to review Palantir’s latest MoD contract “given the allegations now coming to light about Mandelson’s conduct”.
Starmer’s meeting with Palantir was not documented in the prime minister’s register of visits and was only acknowledged after, Burghart said.
Police search Mandelson’s homes in Epstein probe as pressure mounts on Starmer
09:53 , Shaheena Uddin
Police scour Mandelson’s homes in Epstein probe as pressure mounts on Starmer
Brown calls Starmer's leadership crisis 'serious' but backs PM as 'man of integrity'
09:43 , Shaheena UddinFormer prime minister Gordon Brown said Sir Keir Starmer’s situation is “serious” and suggested the Labour leader had been “too slow to do the right things” in reacting to the Peter Mandelson scandal.
But Mr Brown also praised Starmer as a “man of integrity” who had been “betrayed” by Lord Mandelson.
Starmer’s position is in danger because of his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with disgraced financier Epstein continued after his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.
Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I mean, there’s always speculation. It happened to me, it happened to Tony Blair. It happens to everybody about how their future should be gauged.
“But this is serious, and the task is very clear. The task is we’ve got to clean up the system, a total clean-up of the system, an end to the corruption and unethical behaviour.
“And if we don’t do it, we’ll pay a heavy price.”
Starmer says 'significant volume of material' needs reviewing before Mandelson documents released
09:33 , Shaheena UddinThe prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said a “very significant volume of material” would need to be reviewed before Lord Mandelson’s documents can be released publicly.
Starmer believes the documents will prove Mandelson lied about the extent of his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, during the government vetting process before he was given the top diplomatic job of US ambassador in Washington last year.
The police are currently sifting through boxes of evidence removed from Lord Mandelson’s properties as part of their investigation into alleged misconduct in a public office.
Officers searched a house near Regent’s Park in central London and a property in Wiltshire on Friday afternoon in search of the peer’s association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Wes Streeting could face 'guilt by association' problem over Mandelson mentorship, say sources
09:20 , Maira ButtAllies of Angela Rayner have speculated that health secretary Wes Streeting could be “ruined” by the mass disclosure of all communications made by Lord Peter Mandelson in the coming months, according to The Times.
“Wes will be raging, and I’m sure some more messages will come out and ruin him. Mandelson was his mentor,” said one Rayner supporter.
A minister added that the Epstein feels create a “guilt by association problem”.
A Streeting ally said that those close to Rayner sought to exploit the Epstein scandal to attack the health secretary.
“They are not as close as people are suggesting,” the Streeting ally said.
The Independent has contacted Wes Streeting’s office for comment.
Gordon Brown said Lord Mandelson's leaks could have caused 'huge commercial damage'
09:18 , Shaheena UddinThe former prime minister, Gordon Brown has said Lord Mandelson’s leaks to Jeffrey Epstein could have resulted in “huge commercial damage”.
Mr Brown said he felt “shocked, sad, angry betrayed, let down” when he saw the messages to Epstein released by the US Department of Justice, he told the BBC’s Today programme.
“This was financially secret information, it meant Britain was at risk because of that, the currency was at risk, some of the trading that would happen would be speculative as a result of that and there’s no doubt that huge commercial damage could have been done and perhaps was done,” he said.
Mr Brown said the messages to Epstein suggested Lord Mandelson was planning for a career outside government, while he was also working as the business secretary during the response to the global financial crisis.
“The emails show that. They show that he was talking about writing a book while he was supposed to be a government minister. He was talking about how he would get a job after the government was over and talking about what banks would employ him.
“All these things were happening at one and the same time, so it was a complete betrayal of his colleagues and of the job that he was carrying out and, of course, it was a betrayal of the country.”
The Liberal Democrats have urged the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate Lord Peter Mandelson over allegations of insider trading.
Lord Mandelson has been accused of leaking sensitive government information to billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein, alleged misconduct claims which the Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing.
“The sharing of confidential information with a private financier could easily have provided an unfair and lucrative advantage in the financial markets, either by Epstein himself or by his associates,” Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in a letter, seen by the Guardian. “Mandelson could also have personally profited from this arrangement.”
Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
08:51 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life amid fury over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
The prime minister is in the centre of a political storm after admitting he was aware of the former peer’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein even after his conviction for child sex offences.
Figures across the political spectrum - including MPs in his own party - have questioned the prime minister’s judgement, with some declaring “it’s over” for Starmer.
Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
Starmer 'should stay in post', says his former political director
08:34 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer should not resign over his appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson despite his affiliation with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to his former political director.
“I do think he should stay in post,” Luke Sullivan told Sky News.
“The prime minister has this week made successive statements. He has been asked numerous questions whether that be in the House of Commons or by political journalists. He has been fighting for his premiership. I do think when he made the very, very heartfelt apology on Thursday, you got a sense of the emotion.
“But there are understandably huge questions around the appointment and the process for the appointment.”
Mr Sullivan worked with Sir Keir between 2021 and 2024.
Police carry away boxes after Mandelson's home searched in probe
08:15 , Maira ButtOfficers have been seen carrying away large boxes after a search of the home of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police said officers from its central specialist crime team carried out two warrants in Camden, north London, and Wiltshire in connection with an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences.
The force said the alleged offences involved a 72-year-old man and confirmed that he had not been arrested.
As Peter Mandelson’s biographer, I know how his mind works – and why Epstein was his weakness
08:07 , Maira ButtThe consequences of Peter Mandelson’s covert and corrupt association with the disgraced sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein – the future of Keir Starmer’s premiership being foremost among them – are so monumental that both the friends who knew Mandelson at his best, and the enemies who knew him at his worst, have been left reeling and asking, “How could he do it?” Few ever imagined that even the so-called Prince of Darkness could, or ever would, act quite as treacherously as he has been revealed to have done in the Epstein files released last week.
What has been equally hard to fathom is that Mandelson took, and clung on to, his Washington job even though he must have known that his cover had every chance of being blown. And even when it was, he still fought to keep that role until it became unsustainable, just as he did with his friendship with Epstein.
So, to the other question everyone is asking: what on earth was he thinking?
Donald Macintyre reports:
The Mandelson I know – and the real reason why Epstein was his weakness
Brown says he 'deeply regrets' bringing Mandelson into government
07:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneGordon Brown has said he deeply regrets bringing Peter Mandelson into his government, according to a report in The Guardian.
Writing in the newspaper, the former prime minister said he takes responsibility for Lord Mandelson’s appointment and that revelations the peer had leaked sensitive information had caused him revulsion.
“I have to take personal responsibility for appointing Mandelson to his ministerial role in 2008. I greatly regret this appointment,” he wrote, adding he did not know about his links to Epstein.
“I did so in spite of him being anything but a friend to me, because I thought that his unquestioned knowledge of Europe and beyond could help us as we dealt with the global financial crisis.
“I now know that I was wrong. He seems to have used market-sensitive inside information to betray the principles in which he said he believed, and he betrayed the people who believed in them – and him.”
Keir Starmer warns ISC chair over 'significant volume' of vetting material
06:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has written to the chair of parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC) warning it is likely to receive a “significant volume” of material over his vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson.
In the letter, dated 6 February, the prime minister says he has instructed the cabinet secretary to “work with you and your committee to agree the detail of how material that may be prejudicial to the UK’s National Security and International Relations is shared and reviewed, having regard to the requirements of the Metropolitan Police investigation”.
He adds: “As you note in your letter, it is important that documents are made available to parliament as soon as possible, noting that there is likely to be a very significant volume of material that will need to be reviewed to establish whether it is in scope.
“Above all else, the government wishes to engage constructively with the ISC, and to ensure that parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to follow up.”
Starmer still under pressure as discontent mounts
06:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer is ending the week under intense pressure after his own MPs called for him to resign over his appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
The prime minister is facing a battle to stay in post as he faces questions over his political judgement.
It comes after months of speculation about Sir Keir’s leadership of the Labour Party, with senior figures appearing to position themselves as his successor.
Some have declared “it’s over” for Starmer, while others have pointed the finger at his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
Analysis: Starmer’s survival depends on the fate of his right-hand man
05:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
How Starmer’s survival depends on the fate of his right-hand man
Everything we know about searches at Mandelson's homes
05:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolice were seen searching two properties linked to Lord Peter Mandelson on Friday as a police probe into the disgraced ex-peer intensifies.
Emails published by the US Department of Justice appear to show Lord Mandelson leaking sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein during his time in government.
Earlier this week, the Metropolitan Police said they had launched an investigation into misconduct in public office offences.
On Friday, the force confirmed the 72-year-old man at the centre of the investigation had not been arrested.
Pictures show police officers outside Lord Mandelson’s homes in Camden and Wiltshire, with people seen carrying boxes out of the Camden property.
Watch: Mandelson ‘portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew,’ says Starmer
04:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWill Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
03:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keit Starmer is under growing pressure to resign after he appointed Lord Peter Mandelson to the role of US ambassador.
Lord Mandelson has been accused of leaking sensitive government documents to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time in government in 2008.
But will the prime minister resign - and if so, who could replace him?
The Independent’s political corespondent Athena Stavrou takes a look below:
Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
Who is Peter Mandelson and what do we know about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein?
02:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLord Peter Mandelson has been at the centre of a political storm this week after newly released emails suggested he leaked confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein.
But who is the peer, and what do we know about his relationship with Epstein?
You can read more below:
Who is Peter Mandelson and what do we know about his relationship with Epstein?
In pictures: Police search Mandelson-linked properties
01:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ministers will be asked to hand over messages to Mandelson
00:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSenior government figures will have to hand over their messages with Peter Mandelson ahead of the release of files related to the prime minister’s decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC) informed the prime minister on Friday it would require all “electronic communications and minutes of all meetings” between Mandelson and ministers, government officials and special advisers during his time as US ambassador to be handed over.
The Independent’s political correspondent Athena Stavrou has more below:
Senior government figures forced to hand over private messages with Mandelson
Explained: How easy would it be for Labour MPs to force Starmer out?
Friday 6 February 2026 23:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Watch: Police searching two properties linked to Peter Mandelson
Friday 6 February 2026 22:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRayner warned Starmer not to appoint Mandelson, according to reports
Friday 6 February 2026 22:01 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAngela Rayner warned Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been reported.
Sources told The Times on Friday Ms Rayner had privately warned the prime minister that appointing Lord Mandelson would be a mistake because of evidence of his continued relationship to Epstein after his conviction for sex offences.
The former deputy prime minister publicly applied pressure on Sir Keir this week after she called for him to release the vetting documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
UK will 'turn corner faster' if government backs Starmer, minister says
Friday 6 February 2026 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainBritain will "turn the corner" faster if the government backs Sir Keir Starmer, a minister has said.
Asked whether the prime minister had become a "drag" on the Labour Party, Home Office minister Mike Tapp told Sky News: "We're starting to turn the corner.
"I believe if we stick with Keir Starmer, which we will, then that corner will turn faster and people will start to feel it.
"But I completely understand the anger and the distress at what's happened with Peter Mandelson's appointment. I completely agree with that, and that's why I'm really pleased to see a genuine, genuine apology from Keir Starmer."
He added that Sir Keir had "clearly" been lied to during Lord Mandelson's vetting process, saying: "I trust that, I trust Keir Starmer.
"Let's see what comes out from the documents. I think transparency is vital and that's what we're getting from this government."
Police carry boxes out of Mandelson's Camden home
Friday 6 February 2026 21:37 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolice have left Lord Mandelson’s property in London carrying several boxes.
Seven officers exited the front door of the house in Camden at about 8.23pm, one carrying a white cardboard box and another with a blue plastic one.
Reporters’ cameras flashed as they drove away in cars that had been parked outside the building.
Earlier, officers were seen searching a car parked outside the address.
Plain-clothed officers wearing blue medical gloves used torches to search the Range Rover.
They left his Camden property shortly before 8.15pm and spent around three minutes looking inside the vehicle before returning to the house.
Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
Friday 6 February 2026 21:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life amid fury over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Figures across the political spectrum - including MPs in his own party - have questioned the prime minister’s judgement, with some declaring “it’s over” for Starmer.
But who could his replacement be, and could they unite a warring party?
Athena Stavrou has more here:
Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
Senior government figures forced to hand over private messages with Mandelson
Friday 6 February 2026 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSenior government figures will have to hand over their messages with Peter Mandelson ahead of the release of files related to the prime minister’s decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The government is set to publish Mandelson’s vetting documents in the hopes that transparency will help Sir Keir Starmer weather the political storm threatening his leadership, after he apologised to victims of Epstein for the appointment.
Athena Stavrou reports:
Senior government figures forced to hand over private messages with Mandelson
Police leave Mandelson's London home carrying boxes
Friday 6 February 2026 20:45 , Tom BarnesPolice have left Lord Mandelson’s property in London carrying several boxes.
Seven officers exited the front door of the house in Camden at about 8.23pm, one carrying a white cardboard box and another with a blue plastic one.
Reporters’ cameras flashed as they drove away in cars that had been parked outside the building.
Readers slam ‘old boys’ club’ for sidelining Dame Karen Pierce in favour of Peter Mandelson
Friday 6 February 2026 20:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur community viewed Dame Karen Pierce’s removal as an unnecessary and gendered misjudgement, sidelining an effective diplomat in favour of ‘one of the boys’.
Read it here:
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Readers slam ‘old boys’ club’ over Mandelson replacing Dame Karen Pierce
Keir Starmer tells ISC chair government wish to 'engage constructively' over vetting files
Friday 6 February 2026 20:21 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has written to the chair of parliament’s intelligence and security committee saying the government wishes to “engage constructively” over the release of vetting files concerning Lord Mandelson.
In the letter, dated 6 February, the prime minister says he has instructed the cabinet secretary to “work with you and your committee to agree the detail of how material that may be prejudicial to the UK’s National Security and International Relations is shared and reviewed, having regard to the requirements of the Metropolitan Police investigation”.
He adds: “As you note in your letter, it is important that documents are made available to parliament as soon as possible, noting that there is likely to be a very significant volume of material that will need to be reviewed to establish whether it is in scope.
“Above all else, the government wishes to engage constructively with the ISC,and to ensure that parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to follow up.”
Labour needs a ‘complete reset’ in ‘moment of desperate need’, says former Scottish leader
Friday 6 February 2026 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe government is in need of a “complete reset”, the former Labour first minister of Scotland has said.
Lord McConnell, who led the Labour Party in Scotland from 2001 to 2007, has said it’s time for Sir Keir Starmer to stop blaming advisers for mistakes and “step up”.
"To me there needs to be a complete reset here, not one of the half-hearted resets that we've seen,” he told Times Radio.
He called for Labour figures to “show us what you’ve got” in what he described as a “moment of desperate need” for the party.
“We need somebody now to step up and see that they can deliver that and they could most of all that they can provide hope for the people in the country."
Brown 'deeply regrets' bringing Mandelson into government, reports say
Friday 6 February 2026 19:38 , Nicole Wootton-CaneGordon Brown has said he deeply regrets bringing Peter Mandelson into his government, according to a report in The Guardian.
Writing in the newspaper, the former prime minister said he takes responsibility for Lord Mandelson’s appointment and that revelations the peer had leaked sensitive information had caused him revulsion.
“I have to take personal responsibility for appointing Mandelson to his ministerial role in 2008. I greatly regret this appointment,” he wrote, adding he did not know about his links to Epstein.
“I did so in spite of him being anything but a friend to me, because I thought that his unquestioned knowledge of Europe and beyond could help us as we dealt with the global financial crisis.
“I now know that I was wrong. He seems to have used market-sensitive inside information to betray the principles in which he said he believed, and he betrayed the people who believed in them – and him.”
Government do not have access to Mandelson’s private emails
Friday 6 February 2026 19:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Peter Mandelson would hand over private emails as part of the document release.
When asked if Mandelson was complying with the government’s efforts to gather documents on his vetting process, a spokesman said: “I can't speak for Lord Mandelson.
We are obviously assessing the documentation that is relevant now and falls within the motion.”
They added: “There's private email addresses and things which the government wouldn't have access to.”
Six cars outside Lord Peter Mandelson's Wiltshire house as police investigate
Friday 6 February 2026 19:05 , Shaheena UddinOne police car and five unmarked cars were seen parked outside Lord Peter Mandelson’s Wiltshire address, which had lights on inside and an open garage door.
A handful of members of the media were gathered outside the detached home near Wilcot.
Similarly the police investigated Mandelson’s home near Regent’s park in Central London.
Two people believed to be police officers left Lord Peter Mandelson’s London house to retrieve empty packing boxes from their car.
The two men then collected the boxes from the car parked outside the property near Regent’s Park before re-entering.
Editorial: If a miserable Starmer is to survive, he must show leadership
Friday 6 February 2026 19:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe PM is struggling to atone for his colossal misjudgement in appointing Peter Mandelson, but his bigger problem is that the country has simply stopped listening to him.
Read more here:
If a miserable Starmer is to survive, he must show leadership
In pictures: Police search Mandelson's Wiltshire home
Friday 6 February 2026 18:52 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Will Keir Starmer survive the Mandelson-Epstein scandal?
Friday 6 February 2026 18:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Police cars parked outside Lord Mandelson's Wiltshire address
Friday 6 February 2026 18:29 , Nicole Wootton-CaneOne marked police car and five unmarked cars were seen parked outside Lord Peter Mandelson’s Wiltshire address on Friday evening, according to the Press Association.
The property had lights on inside and an open garage door.
A handful of members of the media were gathered outside the detached home near Wilcot.
Mandelson’s lobbying firm cuts all ties with disgraced peer amid Epstein fallout
Friday 6 February 2026 18:20 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson has severed all connections with the peer.
Its chief executive, Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, has also announced his departure.
The decision follows mounting pressure on Global Counsel over Lord Mandelson's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson’s lobbying firm cuts all ties with disgraced peer amid Epstein fallout
Labour MP slams Mandelson's alleged leaks as 'treasonous'
Friday 6 February 2026 18:18 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
A Labour MP who worked as a special adviser to ex-chancellor Alistair Darlington in 2009 has slammed alleged leaks by Lord Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein and “treasonous”.
Milton Keynes MP Emily Darlington said: "I am beyond being furious and appalled. Everyone was working all hours to protect people’s bank accounts and save the economy. To think that he was leaking the information to Epstein so he could help rich Americans money make money on the UK government’s actions. It is treasonous.
“Hopefully we get enough detail to assess how much this drove up the cost of the government bailouts."
She warned it would be "unforgivable" if Mandelson's actions made the bailout of the banks even more expensive for the British taxpayer.
