Now clear PM knew about Mandelson-Epstein relationship – and concerns were raisedpublished at 16:57 GMT
16:57 GMT
Nick Eardley
Political correspondent
Image source, House of Commons
Take a step back.
The big question is about the prime
minister’s judgement; should he have appointed Peter Mandelson as US ambassador
given what was known about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein?
We know more about that relationship now as a result of
the emails published in the United States.
But the vetting report published today by the UK government
spells out that the prime minister was told the relationship continued after
Epstein’s initial conviction.
It says: “After Epstein was first convicted of
procuring an underage girl in 2008, their relationship continued across
2009-2011.”
The prime minister will have had this warning when he chose
to proceed.
The report concludes there was a “general reputational
risk” over the Epstein relationship.
It also highlights other risks, including Mandelson’s
political past. Lord Mandelson has repeatedly let it be known that he believes
he has not acted criminally, did not act for personal gain and is cooperating
with the police.
We also now know that Jonathan Powell – who served
as Tony Blair’s chief of staff in Downing Street – thought the appointment
process had been “weirdly rushed”. He is said to have raised concerns
with Morgan McSweeney, who was then Starmer’s chief of staff – but was
apparently told these has been addressed.
The government has not published the document which shows
follow up questions being asked of Mandelson, at the request of the
Metropolitan Police. This may shed more light on what Mandelson did and didn’t
reveal when probed by Number 10.
The BBC understands that Lord Mandelson’s view is he
answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process
accurately.
But it is clear from today’s documents that concerns were
raised – and the prime minister was told about the relationship continuing
after Epstein’s conviction.