Foreign Office Looks Again at Lord Mandelson's Payoff

The Foreign Office is checking a payment given to Lord Mandelson when he stopped being ambassador. This review is happening after new emails showed links to Jeffrey Epstein and a police investigation started in the UK.
By Newsroom | UK Politics, Government |

A financial settlement provided to Lord Mandelson following his dismissal as ambassador to the United States is presently under scrutiny by the UK's Foreign Office. This review comes in the wake of newly disclosed email exchanges linking Lord Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein, and the commencement of a separate police investigation in the UK concerning alleged misconduct in public office.

Background: Mandelson's Appointment, Dismissal, and Emergent Details

Lord Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the US. His tenure, however, was cut short in September of the previous year, approximately seven months after his appointment. This dismissal followed the surfacing of information regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein, a financier convicted of sex offenses.

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  • Subsequent to his sacking, the Foreign Office confirmed that a financial settlement was reached with Lord Mandelson. The exact sum of this settlement has not been publicly disclosed.

  • The recent release of US government documents in January included email correspondence from the period when Lord Mandelson served as a member of Gordon Brown's cabinet.

  • These emails have reportedly raised concerns, with some indicating that Lord Mandelson may have leaked market-sensitive government information to Epstein while he held a cabinet position.

  • Furthermore, emails suggest that Epstein made financial payments amounting to thousands of pounds to Lord Mandelson and his partner, an allegation Lord Mandelson denies, stating he has no record or recollection of such payments.

  • Concerns have also been voiced regarding whether Lord Mandelson accurately disclosed the nature of his relationship with Epstein during the vetting process for his ambassadorship.

  • A police investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office has been initiated in the UK. Searches have reportedly been conducted at two of Lord Mandelson's properties.

  • The Metropolitan Police has confirmed this criminal investigation.

  • Reports indicate that Lord Mandelson's role was terminated after the emergence of new emails, which purportedly contained supportive messages he sent to Epstein after the latter had pleaded guilty to sex offenses.

Mandelson's Departure Payment Under Review

The Foreign Office has confirmed that it is conducting a review of the taxpayer-funded exit payment provided to Lord Mandelson. This review was prompted by the fresh details concerning his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and the initiation of the police investigation. Sources suggest this payout was equivalent to three months' salary.

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  • The review's purpose is to assess the circumstances surrounding the payment made to Lord Mandelson upon his dismissal.

  • The specific amount of the settlement has not been revealed, though it has been described as a 'five-figure' sum.

Political Reactions and Calls for Action

The revelations surrounding Lord Mandelson's connections and the subsequent payment have elicited strong reactions within political circles, leading to demands for accountability.

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  • Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has stated that Lord Mandelson should hand back the Foreign Office payoff or donate it to charity. He expressed feelings of anger and betrayal given his prior acquaintance with Lord Mandelson.

  • Some Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for the release of documents pertaining to Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador. A government proposal to withhold certain materials was reportedly met with anger from Labour backbenchers, leading to a climbdown and an approval for the release of files.

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that Lord Mandelson repeatedly lied to him about the extent of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

  • There have been calls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign over his handling of the matter.

  • It has been suggested that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) might be called upon to investigate the alleged sharing of market-sensitive information. The FCA's remit includes enforcing market abuse laws, such as insider trading.

Lord Mandelson's Position

Lord Mandelson's representatives have been contacted for comment regarding the review of his payment and the ongoing investigations.

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  • He has previously stated that he has no record or recollection of any financial payments allegedly made by Epstein to him twenty years ago.

  • Lord Mandelson's stance, as understood, is that he accurately answered questions about his relationship with Epstein during the vetting process for his ambassadorship.

  • He resigned his Labour Party membership in a statement released on a Sunday.

Evidence

  • Foreign Office Review: Multiple sources confirm the Foreign Office is reviewing Lord Mandelson's departure payment. (BBC News, The Guardian, Sky News, iNews)

  • Epstein Link: Newly released US government emails in January reportedly detail contacts between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, including exchanges from when Mandelson was a cabinet minister. (BBC News, Sky News)

  • Leak Allegations: Emails allegedly suggest Lord Mandelson passed market-sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as Business Secretary. (BBC News)

  • Financial Payments: Emails also purportedly indicate Epstein made payments to Lord Mandelson and his partner. Lord Mandelson denies this. (BBC News)

  • Dismissal Date: Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September of the previous year. (Sky News)

  • Police Investigation: The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office against Lord Mandelson. (BBC News)

  • Property Searches: Searches have reportedly been conducted at two of Lord Mandelson's properties as part of the police investigation. (Sky News)

  • Payment Size: The departure payment is described as a 'five-figure' sum, equivalent to three months' salary. (Sky News, iNews)

  • Political Statements: Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has called for the payoff to be returned or donated. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated Mandelson lied about his relationship with Epstein. (The Guardian, BBC News)

Deep Dives

The Nature of the Payoff

The financial settlement provided to Lord Mandelson upon his dismissal as ambassador is a central point of inquiry. Reports indicate this was an exit payment, potentially equivalent to three months' salary, and has been characterized as a 'five-figure' sum. The Foreign Office's decision to review this payment suggests a re-evaluation of its justification or appropriateness in light of subsequent revelations. Was this payment standard procedure for a dismissal under such circumstances, or was it an exceptional arrangement?

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Allegations of Leaked Information

A significant concern revolves around the alleged sharing of market-sensitive government information by Lord Mandelson with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a cabinet minister. If substantiated, this would represent a serious breach of public trust and potentially a criminal offense. The police investigation into misconduct in public office directly addresses these allegations. To what extent does the released email correspondence provide concrete evidence of such information being passed, and what was the nature of this information?

Political Accountability and Starmer's Role

The political fallout has placed Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure. His acknowledgement that Lord Mandelson "repeatedly lied" about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has fueled calls for his resignation from some quarters. The process by which information regarding Mandelson's associations was handled during his vetting and subsequent dismissal is under scrutiny. How thoroughly was Mandelson's background checked, and what information was available to the government at the time of his appointment and dismissal?

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Expert Analysis

"The review of Lord Mandelson's payoff, alongside the police investigation into leak allegations, signifies a moment of considerable scrutiny for public figures and governmental processes. The details emerging from the Epstein-related documents appear to have been sufficiently perturbing to warrant these official actions. The intersection of political appointment, alleged personal misconduct, and financial settlements demands a thorough and impartial examination to uphold public confidence."

This commentary, attributed to an unnamed source within the political analysis sphere, highlights the dual nature of the ongoing situation: a review of financial arrangements and a criminal investigation into alleged information leaks. The emphasis is on the need for a transparent and unbiased resolution.

Conclusion

The Foreign Office's decision to review Lord Mandelson's departure payment, described as a 'five-figure' sum, marks a significant development. This action is directly linked to the surfacing of new details concerning his association with Jeffrey Epstein, including alleged leaked government information from his time as a cabinet minister.

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  • A police investigation into misconduct in public office has been initiated, reportedly including searches of Lord Mandelson's properties.

  • Lord Mandelson has denied recollections of financial payments from Epstein and maintains he answered vetting questions accurately.

  • Political figures, including Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden, have called for the payoff to be returned or donated.

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated Lord Mandelson misled him regarding his relationship with Epstein, leading to calls for Starmer's resignation.

  • The release of documents relating to Mandelson's appointment has been approved following parliamentary debate.

The review is intended to assess the circumstances surrounding the settlement provided to Lord Mandelson following his dismissal as ambassador. The exact sum of this payment has not been publicly disclosed.

Sources

Read More: Cabinet Secretary Job Delayed Because of Mandelson Papers

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Foreign Office looking at Lord Mandelson's payment again?
They are checking it because new emails show links to Jeffrey Epstein and a police investigation has begun.
Q: What was the payment for?
It was a payment given to Lord Mandelson when he left his job as ambassador to the US.
Q: Did Lord Mandelson know Jeffrey Epstein?
New emails suggest they knew each other, and there are claims Lord Mandelson gave Epstein information. Lord Mandelson denies some of these claims.
Q: Is there a police investigation?
Yes, the police are looking into claims of misconduct in public office related to Lord Mandelson.