UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MPs urge PM Keir Starmer to strip Peter Mandelson of his peerage over ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after King Charles’ recent title revocation.
As reported by The Telegraph, Labour MPs demanded Sir Keir Starmer remove Lord Mandelson from the House of Lords over links to Jeffrey Epstein, citing King Charles’ recent action.
The stripping of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s titles earlier this week reignited Labour MPs’ calls for Lord Mandelson to lose his peerage.
After weeks of allegations over his links to Epstein, King Charles took unprecedented action against Mountbatten Windsor.
Reports show Mountbatten Windsor stayed in contact with Epstein longer than admitted. It is also reported that the ex-prince gave Virginia Giuffre’s personal details to his protection officer in a bid to smear her. Mountbatten Windsor denies all abuse claims.
What did Labour MPs say about stripping Lord Mandelson’s peerage?
Labour MPs have called on the Prime Minister to act against Lord Mandelson, who was sacked as US ambassador over his friendship with Epstein.
The Labour peer lost his Washington post in September after emails revealed he backed Epstein during his jail term for sex offences.
He consoled Epstein and encouraged him to seek early release, telling him,
“Your friends stay with you and love you.”
Lord Mandelson continues to hold his peerage and party membership, though he is on leave and without the Labour whip in the House of Lords.
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said the removal of Mountbatten Windsor’s titles casts scrutiny on the Prime Minister’s handling of Lord Mandelson.
He stated,
“The King’s done the right thing, and now the Prime Minister must follow suit as night follows day.”
Mr McDonald added,
“The King’s shown leadership in respect of his own brother, and Keir Starmer should do the same in terms of Peter Mandelson.”
The Labour MP for Liverpool, Kim Johnson, also called for Lord Mandelson’s peerage to be stripped.
What did Sir Chris Bryant say about stripping Lord Mandelson’s peerage?
Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant said Lord Mandelson should keep his peerage, despite the King’s brother losing his titles over Epstein links.
When questioned about Lord Mandelson, he replied,
“I don’t think that just having known somebody is the issue.”
Pressed on the contents of Lord Mandelson’s emails to Epstein, where he said, “Your friends stay with you and love you.”
Mr Bryant responded,
“When I read of all that, honestly my stomach turned. Because I just thought ‘what on earth were you thinking, Peter?’ I think a lot of us who know Peter just felt very angry with him, very genuinely angry with him. Personally I’ve always been in favour of an elected second chamber.”
What did Stephen Flynn say about Peter Mandelson’s peership?
SNP leader Stephen Flynn also called on Keir Starmer to strip the Labour peer of his honour.
He said,
“Peter Mandelson wrote an email to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein suggesting his conviction was wrongful – whether Keir Starmer likes it or not, Peter Mandelson is implicated in the Epstein scandal, just as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is.”
Mr Flynn stated,
“The allegations may be different, but the consequences must be the same. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been rightly stripped of his titles and his position – it is right that the very same principle is immediately enforced on Peter Mandelson.”
He continued,
“Until Keir Starmer follows the example of the King and acts to remove Peter Mandelson from the House of Lords and the public payroll, this scandal is nowhere near its end.”
What did Downing Street say about Lord Mandelson’s peerage?
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that questions over Lord Mandelson’s peerage fall to the whips, adding he is currently on leave.
They said,
“Lord Mandelson would not have been appointed given the information we need now.”
Lord Mandelson has not yet given the required three months’ notice to return to the House of Lords.
Why were Prince Andrew’s royal titles stripped?
Prince Andrew’s royal titles were removed due to the ongoing scandal surrounding his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the sexual assault allegations made against him by Epstein’s victim, Virginia Giuffre.
The palace said the action was necessary due to “serious lapses in judgement” by Andrew, as the controversy was causing significant reputational harm to the Royal Family.
Prince Andrew’s titles were not removed by a specific law passed by Parliament. Instead, the process was initiated by the King using the royal prerogative.