UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Lord Peter Mandelson’s “singular talents” outweighed Jeffrey Epstein’s risks, sparking his controversial US ambassador role.
As reported by The Independent, a senior cabinet minister admitted political priorities outweighed security concerns, allowing Lord Peter Mandelson’s US ambassador post.
What did Peter Kyle say about Mandelson’s sacking over Epstein?
Peter Kyle said revelations about Lord Peter Mandelson’s connection to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein caused his dismissal.
He declined to confirm whether the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, informed Lord Mandelson about his dismissal or if the appointment was initially a mistake.
During a Sky News interview, he confirmed it was incorrect that Mr Mandelson was appointed US ambassador before security checks.
He stated,
“The Cabinet Office did an independent inquiry into the appointment, as they do in every public appointment of this nature, and the information, that was presented to the prime minister.”
Mr Kyle acknowledged political priorities overruled security concerns about Mandelson, including China links, and US President Donald Trump nearly blocked his credentials.
The business secretary said,
“The second process was obviously a political process where there are political conversations done in No 10 about all the other aspects of an appointment of this nature.”
He stated,
“Now both of these things turned up information that was already public and a decision was made that based on Peter’s singular talents in this area, that the risk of appointing knowing what was already public was worth the risk.”
In another interview, he said Mandelson’s posting had a significant impact on Britain.
Mr Kyle stated,
“[At the time of the appointment] global norms were turned upside down. The relationship between Britain and America was in a perilous state because of the threat of tariffs. What was happening economically, trying to repurpose and rethink the special relationship. Britain needed somebody with outstanding, singular talents, experience which was very hard to come by.”
He said new information revealed vetting missed emails showing Mandelson advising Epstein on his conviction and calling him his “best pal.”
The business secretary stated,
“Of course we have seen the emails which were not published at the time, were not public and not even known about, and that has changed the situation.”
Mr Kyle said,
“They had what was public, which was extracts of the emails and … and immediately, upon having being alerted to extracts of emails, the Foreign Office contacted Peter Mandelson and asked for his account of the emails and asked for them to be put into context and for his response.”
He stated,
“That response did not come before PMQs and then after PMQs the full, the full emails were released by Bloomberg in the evening. By the first thing the next morning, when the Prime Minister had time to read the emails in full, having had them in full, and reading them almost immediately of having them, Peter was withdrawn as ambassador.”
The business secretary argued that the media had the “same information that we had at the time” of the appointment.
“We only knew what the media knew then,” he confirmed, as critics slammed prioritising Mandelson’s skills over Epstein victims’ safety.
What did Kevin Hollinrake say about Mandelson’s appointment?
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake stated,
“It is astonishing that the new business and trade Secretary has openly admitted that Downing Street chose to prioritise Mandelson’s ‘singular and outstanding talents’ over the rights of Epstein’s victims. Even more damning, this cover-up appears to have continued for a further 48 hours this week as more and more revelations came to light.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about Prime Minister Starmer’s handling of Mandelson?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch made it clear that she will demand the prime minister give a statement on the fiasco to the Commons on Monday.
She stated,
“Our weak prime minister is hiding, sending out ministers to answer for his terrible judgement.”
Ms Badenoch added,
“The last time we saw Starmer was Wednesday when he told me he had confidence in Mandelson. The PM needs to come to Parliament tomorrow and tell the truth about what he knew and when.”
Richard Tice’s views on the Prime Minister’s accountability
Richard Tice MP, Reform’s deputy leader, stated,
“It’s time for the Prime Minister to come clean. Reform will be asking some very difficult questions of him on Monday. After recent news reports, it is clear that he has misled the House.”
He added,
“Even his own backbenchers are publicly saying he has lost control and isn’t up to the job. Reform will hold Starmer to account and do everything we can to drag him to the dispatch box and give the answers that the public deserve.”
What did Peter Kyle say about Andy Burnham’s impact in Manchester?
Referring to Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Peter Kyle stated,
“Andy’s a real talent. I think he’s doing an incredible job in Manchester. I think Manchester really needs him. I like working with him in Manchester. It would be a shame for Manchester to lose him.”
Who is Jeffrey Epstein?
Jeffrey Epstein was a financier convicted of sex trafficking minors. He was linked to royals, politicians, and billionaires, fueling widespread speculation.
Epstein amassed a $600 million fortune managing assets for wealthy clients. His death in jail was ruled a suicide, though doubts and conspiracy theories persist.