​Keir Starmer to publish information on Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to US

It comes after Scotland Yard announced on Tuesday evening it had launched a criminal probe into the Labour veteran as the scandal over the Jeffrey Epstein files intensified

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Keir Starmer will publish key papers on Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to Washington – after the PM accused him of letting the country down.

It comes after Scotland Yard announced on Tuesday evening it had launched a criminal probe into the Labour veteran as the scandal over the Jeffrey Epstein files intensified. Lord Mandelson – who also quit the Lords yesterday – is facing accusations he passed market-sensitive information to the billionaire predator during the 2008 financial crash. The government has said they stand ready to provide the police with the assistance they need.

As the scandal grows, the Tories are also seeking to force the government to disclose details relating to his appointment by Mr Starmer in 2025 as the UK’s ambassador to the US. Lord Mandelson was sacked from the post several months later over his links with Epstein.

Tory chief Kemi Badenoch will use a rare “humble address” motion in the Commons today in an attempt to force the release of documents. This would include the Cabinet Office due diligence which was passed to No10 at the time, material provided to the Foreign Office’s vetting scheme and correspondence between senior government aides and Lord Mandelson ahead of his appointment to the plum posting.

READ MORE: Police launch criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson over Jeffrey Epstein filesREAD MORE: Peter Mandelson quits House of Lords over Epstein documents fury

But Mr Starmer’s government has since said they will publish some of the information. In an amendment to the Tories’ motion, the government has agreed to release the requested information – “except papers prejudicial to UK national security or international relations”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Wednesday there are “clearly lessons to be learned, to put it mildly” about the process by which Lord Mandelson was appointed as ambassador. He said was showing “transparency” by allowing the release of documents and added there was a sense of betrayal about Lord Mandelson’s actions.

He told Times Radio: “You can see the outrage across the political spectrum and from people up and down our country. I cannot state strongly enough how bitterly that betrayal feels for those of us in the Labour Party who feel very personally let down and also feel that he, as well as betraying two prime ministers, betraying our country and betraying Epstein’s victims, has fundamentally betrayed our values and the things that motivate us and the things that brought us into politics, which is public service and national interest, not self-service and self-interest.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Commander Ella Marriott, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Following the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice, the Met received a number of reports into alleged misconduct in public office including a referral from the UK Government.

“I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former Government Minister, for misconduct in public office offences. The Met will continue to assess all relevant information brought to our attention as part of this investigation and won’t be commenting any further at this time.” A Government spokesperson responded: “The government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need.”

Lord Mandelson has not commented publicly since the police launched their probe. But the BBC reported on Tuesday evening the former Labour peer maintains that he has not acted criminally, did not act for personal gain and will cooperate with the police. The broadcaster said Lord Mandelson argues he sought banker Epstein’s expertise in the national interest.