Mandelson files reveal criticism of Starmer and Oxford ambitions

More than 1,000 pages of emails and WhatsApp messages concerning Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the United States have been released. The documents, which include correspondence from the period following the 2024 general election, provide insight into Mandelson’s interactions with government ministers and his professional activities at the time.

The files indicate that Mandelson, then serving as president of the advisory firm Global Counsel, actively lobbied UK ministers to attend events hosted by the firm and to meet with its staff. Messages show Mandelson facilitating introductions between Global Counsel employees and several senior figures, including Spencer Livermore, Patrick Vallance, Douglas Alexander, and Sarah Jones.

Beyond his lobbying efforts, the released correspondence contains evidence of Mandelson’s criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The documents also highlight Mandelson’s strong interest in securing the role of chancellor at Oxford University, with the communications suggesting a significant desire to assume the position.

Despite the volume of material released, a specific document remains absent from the disclosure. The controversial vetting file associated with Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US has not been included in the release, leaving a gap in the official record regarding the security clearance process for the role.

The release of these files has prompted scrutiny of the former diplomat’s conduct during the transition period after the Labour party’s election victory. The combination of lobbying activities, political commentary, and academic ambitions, alongside the missing vetting documentation, presents a complex picture of Mandelson’s activities during his tenure as ambassador.

The documents were discussed in detail by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey in a recent episode of The Guardian’s Politics Weekly UK podcast, which analysed the implications of the newly disclosed correspondence. The podcast hosts examined the content of the emails and messages to assess their significance for the current administration.

As the political community reviews the released material, the absence of the vetting file continues to draw attention. The incomplete nature of the disclosure raises questions about the full scope of the security assessments conducted prior to Mandelson’s appointment, even as the released emails provide a detailed account of his professional and political engagements.