Mandelson-Starmer latest: Gordon Brown says scandal is ‘serious’ for Labour PM – who has ‘acted too slow’
The former prime minister says Starmer situation is ‘serious’ and may have been ‘too slow’ to act
Former primer minister, Gordon Brown has warned that Sir Keir’s Starmer’s situation is “serious” after the prime minister faces mounting pressure to resign over the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.
Mr Brown said in regards to Starmer: "Perhaps he's been too slow to do the right things, but he must do the right things now, and let's judge what he does on what happens in the next few months, when he tries to, and I believe (he) will try, to clean up the system”, he told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
Mr Brown also deeply regrets bring Lord Mandelson into office and fears he could have potentially caused “huge commercial damage”.
Angela Rayner warned Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to concern over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been reported.
The former deputy prime minister told Sir Keir in 2024 handing the job to Lord Mandelson would be a mistake due to his ties to the paedophile financier, according to reports in The Times.
Sir Keir has apologised for believing Lord Mandelson’s “lies” and vowed to hand over documents related to his vetting to parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC).
It comes after the Metropolitan Police searched addresses in Wiltshire and Camden, north London, as part of a misconduct in public office investigation launched into Lord Mandelson.
The force said the alleged offences involved a 72-year-old man and confirmed that he had not been arrested in a “complex investigation” which concluded on Saturday morning.
Gordon Brown warns Keir Starmer leadership crisis is ‘serious’
Labour peer sent memo to Starmer chief of staff McSweeney warning against Mandelson appointment
Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?
The Chase viewers spot ‘unfortunate’ Peter Mandelson question in episode rerun
The Chase viewers spot ‘unfortunate’ Peter Mandelson question in episode rerun
The Chase viewers spot ‘unfortunate’ Peter Mandelson question in episode rerun
Brown says there's a 'systemic failure to do proper vetting'
Former prime minister, Gordon Brown, said Lord Mandelson’s alleged lies during his appointment process as US ambassador were “not sufficient explanation for what happened”.
Mr Brown told BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is a systemic failure to do proper vetting, to go through the proper procedures and to actually have, in my view, what should be public hearings for anybody who is going to be in a senior position representing the British government.”
Instead, he suggested there should be US-style confirmation hearings for new government ministers and senior appointments.
Recap: Police searches into Mandelson's properties concludes
The searches into Lord Mandelson’s two properties have now concluded, the Metropolitan police have confirmed in a statement.
Deputy assistant commissioner, Hayley Sewart, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “I can confirm that officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team have carried out searches at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area. The searches were related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.
“He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing. This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis. It will take some time to do this work comprehensively and we will not be providing a running commentary.”
Labour peer sent memo to Starmer’s chief of staff McSweeney warning against Mandelson appointment
Pressure is growing on the position of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney after it emerged that he was sent a memo warning him against Peter Mandelson being appointed as ambassador to the US.
The memo from Lord Maurice Glasman, the founder of the influential Blue Labour group, was sent while the peer was in Washington DC for Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Labour peer sent memo to Starmer’s chief of staff warning over Mandelson appointment
Brown calls Starmer's leadership crisis 'serious' but backs PM as 'man of integrity'
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Sir Keir Starmer’s situation is “serious” and suggested the Labour leader had been “too slow to do the right things” in reacting to the Peter Mandelson scandal.
But Mr Brown also praised Starmer as a “man of integrity” who had been “betrayed” by Lord Mandelson.
Starmer’s position is in danger because of his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with disgraced financier Epstein continued after his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.
Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I mean, there’s always speculation. It happened to me, it happened to Tony Blair. It happens to everybody about how their future should be gauged.
“But this is serious, and the task is very clear. The task is we’ve got to clean up the system, a total clean-up of the system, an end to the corruption and unethical behaviour.
“And if we don’t do it, we’ll pay a heavy price.”
Watch: Andrew Mountbatten's ex partner says not being named in Epstein files is an 'insult'
Leading barrister visits Lord Mandelson's house
A leading corporate and financial crime lawyer visited Lord Mandelson’s home near Regent’s Park in central London on Saturday.
Adrian Darbishire KC arrived at the former cabinet minister’s house shortly before midday wearing black-rimmed glasses and a navy blue jacket and jeans.
He left the property around 90 minutes later and declined to comment as he left the house, including on whether he represents Lord Mandelson.
But he did confirm his identity to the Press Association. He was previously spotted at the peer’s house on Friday, and was inside when police officers were searching the property throughout the afternoon and evening.
Mr Darbishire KC is described as “a superb tactician and a powerfully persuasive advocate” on the website of QEB Hollis Whiteman’s, where he is listed as joint head of chambers.
The barristers’ chamber says the lawyer “specialises in the defence of professional individuals charged in criminal and disciplinary proceedings arising in connection with their work”, adding Mr Darbishire “has vast experience of the full gamut of offences in this field and creatively defends against them with apparent ease”.
Epstein, Mandelson and Andrew have exposed the rotten state of the UK’s constitution
It didn’t take much. In one corner, a charismatic, manipulative paedophile. In the other corner, two ancient and barnacled pillars of the British state. The House of Lords and the monarchy are still standing, but both have taken quite the battering over the past week.
From beyond the grave, Jeffrey Epstein has unwittingly shone an unforgiving light on the make-believe structures that sit at the pinnacle of our constitutional arrangements. A dud prince and an iffy peer were both charmed and corrupted by their contact with the serpentine Epstein.
And now we don’t know what to do about them.
Epstein, Mandelson and Andrew have exposed the rotten state of the UK’s constitution
Liberal Democrats calling for Mandelson investigation
The Liberal Democrats party have called on the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate Lord Mandelson.
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in a letter to the City watchdog: “It is crucial that Mandelson is investigated to see if he or those he leaked information to profited from access to this market sensitive and confidential material.
“He and others must face criminal prosecution if they are found to have abused trading laws for financial benefit.”
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