Peter Mandelson: Why Britain has picked the ‘Prince of Darkness’ to be its ‘Trump Whisperer’

Peter Mandelson is set to be named as Keir Starmer’s “Trump whisperer” – becoming the next ambassador to the US.

The New Labour stalwart, nicknamed the “Prince of Darkness”, is expected to be named ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The former Business Secretary, who held a number of cabinet posts under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, will head up Britain’s day-to-day relations with the erratic Republican’s administration.

The renowned behind-the-scenes operator is viewed as an experienced pair of hands amid fears Trump could impose tariffs on the UK – which would be hugely damaging. Mr Starmer is desperate to keep the US onside, and government sources say Lord Mandelson’s appointment is a sign of how seriously he takes that.

Lord Mandelson acquired the nickname “Prince of Darkness” due to his ruthlessness and media savvy. The grandson of former Home and Foreign Secretary Herbert Morrison, and was first elected as a Labour councillor in 1979. He was the party’s top spin doctor from 1985 to 1990 and was a key advisor to Mr Starmer ahead of this year’s election.

But he does come with baggage, having twice resigned from Government in controversial circumstances. He is a controversial figure among left-wingers, with veteran trade unionist Arthur Scargill having stood against him in a bid to oust him in 2001.

He stepped down as an MP in 2004 to become Britain’s European Commissioner, taking responsible for trade. It is this experience that Mr Starmer hopes to harness.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News: “I think Lord Mandelson is an individual of very significant international standing. He has been a previous EU trade commissioner, he’s a very experienced politician.

“We need someone as the next ambassador to the US who is going to be able to promote our economic and security interests with one of our closest allies, and so I think he is a really good fit for the job.”

She added that former Hartlepool MP Lord Mandelson’s experience of trade policy would be “really important” amid concerns about the new tariffs Trump has threatened to introduce.

But US Congressman Glenn Grothman said hardly anyone in Washington knows who he is. Mr Grothman, the Republican chairman of National Security, a sub-committee of the US House of Representatives for border and foreign affairs, said: “Well, I have read a little bit more about him quite frankly tonight. I would be surprised of the 435 members in the US House of Representatives if 15 of them could name the new ambassador from Britain.”

Lord Mandelson quit as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1998 after it emerged he had brought a home helped by an interest-free loan of £373,000 from fellow cabinet colleague Geoffrey Robinson.

At the time Mandelson’s department was carrying out an inquiry into Mr Robinson’s business dealings. To make matters worse he had not declared it in the register of members’ interests.

He was brought back into the fold the following year, but had to resign from Government a second time in 2001. He was accused of trying to influence a passport application after contacting a Home Office Minister on behalf of Srichand Hinduja, an Indian businessman who was seeking British citizenship.

Despite his resignation he was found to have done nothing wrong in a subsequent inquiry by Sir Anthony Hammond.

A Government source told the BBC : “The fact the prime minister has chosen to make a political appointment and sent Lord Mandelson to Washington shows just how importantly we see our relationship with the Trump administration.

“We’re sending someone close to the prime minister with unrivalled political and policy experience, particularly on the crucial issue of trade. He’s the ideal candidate to represent the UK’s economic and security interests in the USA.”