What to expect as the second tranche of the Mandelson files are published
The documents, which will give further detail into Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, are due to be published later today
The second tranche of the Mandelson files are due to be published later today.
These documents, which are expected to be “among the largest publications ever laid in parliament”, will further detail how Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed as the UK ambassador to the US.
This comes after MPs in the House of Commons voted to force the government to publish all papers relating to his appointment earlier this year.
Take a look at what you need to know about the Mandelson files.
When will the files be published?
So far, Number 10 has refused to confirm when exactly these documents will be published.
However, the BBC is reporting that three sources involved in the process have told them the documents will be published at some point on Monday 1 June.
We are expecting them to come after 3.30pm.
Why are they being published?
Back in February MPs in the House of Commons voted for all papers relating to Mandelson’s appointment to be made public through a parliamentary process called a humble address.
The UK Government initially opposed this, arguing it did not want to publish material that could damage national security or diplomatic relations.
However, it then conceded to send the documents to the Intelligence and Security Committee, who ultimately decided what could and could not be published.
What will be in the files?
All cleared documents will be published unless the Metropolitan Police has requested they be held back for their investigation. Mandelson is under criminal investigation over allegations of misconduct in public office, but maintains he did not act criminally.
While some of the documents may be redacted, they are expected to go into more detail on how Mandelson was appointed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
What has happened so far?
Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador last year after the extent of his relationship to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.
He was appointed to the Washington role in December 2024, and Sir Keir said he would bring “unrivalled experience to the role”.
The first tranche of the Mandelson files was published back in March, and showed the Prime Minister was advised that Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein posed a “general reputational risk”.
Several civil servants have lost their jobs over the whole debacle, including Sir Keir’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and former head of the Foreign Office Sir Olly Robbins.
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