Keir Starmer has dismissed accusations of a “cover-up” following the release by No10 of the initial dossier of evidence regarding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador.
The move comes after Downing Street made public a 147-page report containing information on the screening processes for the Labour veteran’s prestigious role in Washington. Lord Mandelson was dismissed by Mr. Starmer last year due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
Responding to allegations that crucial details were omitted from the first batch of potentially tens of thousands of documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that a comment box designated for the Prime Minister’s feedback was left empty.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson asserted, “I reject any insinuation of a cover-up. The government has been fully cooperative. I simply do not agree with that assertion at all. There are various ways in which the Prime Minister’s senior team provides input.”
He further stated, “The Prime Minister did review the advice, but there are evidently lessons to be learned concerning broader appointment procedures and the preceding processes.” It has been clarified that no redactions were made to the particular section of the document in question.
Keir Starmer also admitted during a press briefing in Northern Ireland today that he took responsibility for the error in appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador, stating, “It was my decision, and I apologize to Epstein’s victims.”
In the disclosed files on Wednesday, it was revealed that Lord Mandelson was offered a severance payment of £75,000 after initially seeking compensation for the full value of his four-year contract, amounting to £547,201 funded by taxpayers.
Downing Street and senior ministers have urged the Labour figure to reimburse the sum or contribute it to a charitable cause.