Famously, Lord Peter Mandelson is a self-styled fighter, not a quitter. But yesterday he gave up the fight and walked away from Labour, the party to which he has devoted a lifetime.
Given the sordid new depths of the Epstein scandal Lord Peter Mandelson had no choice but to resign from Labour, the party to which he has devoted a lifetime. Being pictured in his underpants in the sex-trafficker’s Paris flat was the last straw.
It was an abrupt, inglorious end to a career that took him from a childhood admirer of Harold Wilson to the dizzy heights of Labour cabinets and de-facto deputy Prime Minister under Gordon Brown.
It was also a fitting finale for a roller-coaster ride of high politics, low life and scandal. Mandy went out with a bang, stealing the headlines even from Royalty. The one-time Prince of Darkness more notorious than the former Prince Andrew.
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But though his theatrical exit is over, the story is not. There are too many unanswered question to write “Finis” to the most intriguing Westminster play of the past half-century. Officially, Mandelson quit to save Labour further embarrassment, especially in the run-up to a critical by-election in Manchester that threatens the premiership of Sir Keir Starmer.
In Downing Street, his overnight departure came as a timely relief. Yet he left protesting his innocence of claims that he accepted $75,000 from his “best pal”, American child sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein.
His promise to investigate these and other allegations, including lobbying for bankers while a Cabinet minister, disclosing confidential government information and taking his cash for husband Reinaldo da Silva, is not good enough.
Mandy cannot be allowed to just walk off the stage, having done his own homework on this saga of sleaze. He has too much history of rewriting the narrative to suit himself. The truth about his dealings, financial and otherwise, is right there in the electronic paper trail he left behind him. Follow the money, in an independent inquiry!
Sir Keir has acted quickly, setting up an investigation by the Cabinet Secretary into evidence relating to Mandy’s time as a minister. It must leave no sordid stone unturned, and its conclusions and recommendations must be published, like the previous two inquiries into his misconduct.
The Prime Minister says Mandy must no longer call himself – or be – a Lord. Ideally, the government would like Milord Trouble to give up his title voluntarily.
That may prove to be a resignation too far, and there are constitutional barriers to “delording” a life peer. It would be unprecedented, requiring primary legislation.
Meanwhile, the government is urgently seeking a parliamentary solution, possibly through a new sacking offence of bringing the Lords into disrepute. Failing that, ministers have not ruled out changing the law.
There’s a first time for everything. Bring it on! The Delordisation of Baron Foy and Hartlepool Bill would sail through an irate Commons and an embarrassed Lords in an afternoon. Mandelson “deeply regrets” being taken in by Epstein’s lies. Do any of the Labour leaders who promoted the over-rated Svengali of Spin share that regret – about him?
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