BRIAN READE: ‘The Epstein and Mandelson scandal has finished us one favour’
For too long, powerful backsides have been protected with a go-to excuse that gives them a free pass to lie, says Brian Reade. And it’s proof an undiluted Hillsborough Law is needed more than ever
Holding back juicy emails from Lord Mandelson (Image: Getty Images)
There’s an age-old phrase weaponised by the British Establishment to slap down commoners seeking to hold it to account. If you listened to Keir Starmer’s desperate performance at Wednesday’s PMQs you will have heard it repeatedly used as he tried to block the release of all Downing Street documents relating to Peter Mandelson ’s Washington appointment. Sorry, old chaps, came the message from the Sir about the Lord, we can’t give you the juiciest emails “in the interests of national security”.
Fortunately, Labour MPs were so furious that their leader had given the most coveted ambassadorial post to a sleaze merchant whom he knew had carried on a close relationship with a convicted paedophile, that they were having no part of the cover-up. And Starmer had to cave in. But before backbenchers could celebrate, a minister announced the documents would not be released any time soon as it would prejudice a police probe. On and on the covering of the powerful’s backsides goes. Same as it ever was.
If you or I were Mandelson, this “national interest” defence would be turned against us. Such is the evidence and the severity of the allegations, we would probably now be in custody being quizzed by Special Branch about what exactly we told Jeffrey Epstein and when. In the national interest.
If we were Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Scotland Yard would be quizzing us over allegations Epstein had sex-trafficked women to us and the full extent of the access at the highest of levels we gave to a man the Polish PM claims was a Russian spy. In the national interest.
Did you know there are rules protecting living royals from investigation, with all government files relating to them remaining secret until 105years after their birth? In other words, if you want to find out what MI5 knew about the former prince and Epstein, or whether the late Queen stumped up the alleged £12million to end the sexual assault lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, come back in 2065. During his car-crash BBC interview, Andrew claimed it was impossible for him to have had sex with Giuffre, on March 10, 2001, because he was with his daughter in Pizza Express, Woking, on that date. So journalists asked Scotland Yard for the movements of his protection team on that day, which would verify or demolish his alibi. They point-blank refused. On “national security” grounds. Even though there was literally no threat to our security.
If ever we needed a full-strength Hillsborough Law it is now. If ever we needed proof as to why we should ignore demands from the intelligence services to be omitted from the legislation on “national security” grounds, we now have it. The core point of The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, initiated due to those at the top being let off the hook for numerous fatal disasters such as Hillsborough, is that the least the nation deserves from its public servants is truth and accountability. Because without either, injustice festers.
To oppose the bill, or demand loopholes in it, is to say “we’re so important we demand a free pass to lie”. Which is why, if the Epstein scandal has done us one favour, it is to show an undiluted Hillsborough Law is needed, and fast. Meanwhile, Mandelson is still called Lord and Andrew is still eighth in line to the British throne. Presumably, in the national interest.
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