Peter Mandelson should give his “golden goodbye” payment back or hand it over to charity, a Government minister has said.
Pat McFadden, who has known Mandelson for 30 years, suggested he should give the money to a charity specialising in tackling violence against women and girls.
Keir Starmer faces mounting fury after it emerged Peter Mandelson took home a five-figure payout when he was sacked. Asked by Sky News’ Sir Trevor Phillips whether the former peer should return the money, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Yes. Either give it back or give it to charity. Perhaps one involving, violence against women and girls.”
Mr McFadden said he did not know how much Mandelson received as a payout when he was sacked in September. He was fired after the depth of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein came to light, and a furious Mr Starmer has accused him of lying repeatedly before his appointment.
Mr McFadden, who was a junior minister when Mandelson was Business Secretary under Gordon Brown, said he was angry and bewildered by latest revelations about the New Labour grandee. Mandelson is being investigated by police over allegations of misconduct in public office.
Mr McFadden said: “I think the Prime Minister has acted in good faith through this. He’s never been involved with Jeffrey Epstein. This is all from a time before he was even an MP, let alone leader of the Labour Party or the Prime Minister. He’s horrified.”
And he brushed off demands for the PM to step aside, saying: “I believe he should stay. I think he’s got a five year mandate, which was just voted for 18 months or so ago in a general election.
“His task is by no means complete, it’s barely begun. And I also think it is not good for the country to change its Prime Minister every 18 months or two years. It’s leading to chaos and uncertainty economically, politically and reputationally around the world.
“So I know this has been a difficult week, but I think we should stick with the Prime Minister andsupport him. He admits he’s made a bad mistake here. He has apologised for it, and I’m sure he will learn from that going forward.”
Earlier Tory Shadow Foreign Secretary, Dame Priti Patel, said: “A five-figure taxpayer funded payout for Lord Mandelson is a disgusting betrayal Epstein’s victims.
“Once again it raises very serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment and his disgraced Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney. The Government must ensure Mandelson’s golden goodbye is recovered in full.”