Keir Starmer has confirmed that Peter Mandelson will not be reinstated in the government following his removal as the UK’s ambassador to Washington. The Prime Minister took action last month to dismiss Mandelson from his role after new information emerged about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Correspondence revealed that Mandelson had advocated for Epstein’s early release shortly before his imprisonment.
Mandelson, known as the “Prince of Darkness,” was appointed as the UK’s ambassador to the US in December 2024, but this dismissal marked the third time he has been compelled to leave a governmental position under controversial circumstances. When asked about Mandelson’s potential return to frontline politics or the restoration of his Labour whip in the Lords, Starmer clarified that there would be no future government appointments for Mandelson. Additionally, Mandelson is currently on leave from the Lords, making the whip issue irrelevant.
Recent reports also disclosed that Mandelson will lose the Freedom of Hartlepool title due to his association with Epstein. The decision to revoke this honor was unanimous among council members. Starmer is actively seeking a new ambassador to the US to handle diplomatic affairs with the Trump administration.
In the interim, James Roscoe is serving as the acting ambassador. Starmer declined to comment on the potential removal of Michelle Mone’s peerage in the Lords. Mone, linked to the troubled PPE Medpro company, faced a court order to repay over £121 million for breaching a Covid PPE contract. Starmer noted that Mone is not currently seated in the Lords, indicating a pending process regarding her status.
In summary, Starmer’s stance on Mandelson’s government reappointment, the revocation of Mandelson’s Freedom of Hartlepool title, and the ongoing developments with Michelle Mone reflect the evolving political landscape in the UK.