Happy days for Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer, before the former’s latest fall from grace (Image: PA)
Just when you thought Labor couldn’t get any more nasty, allegations emerged that Peter Mandelson – Sir Keir Starmer’s now-sacked US ambassador
– passed confidential government information to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2009, when he was business secretary.
Given Mandelson’s poor record, these latest claims once again highlight the Prime Minister’s sad decision to send him to Washington after a series of previous embarrassments.
Labour has consistently disregarded the trail of scandalous deals that followed Mandelson, who was once dubbed the Prince of Darkness.
From a dubious home loan to securing the passport of a foreign plutocrat to boarding the yachts of billionaire Russian oligarchs himself and now to being trapped in his underpants in Epstein’s apartment, Mandelson has always been attracted to very rich people.
Ironically, what made him a smart choice as US ambassador Donald Trump. The complete lack of left-wing virtue signalling means he clearly eavesdropped on the Labour leadership under Blair.
This was evident in his interactions with Brown and, more recently, Starmer. They were so desperate for a practical and blunt supporter that they consistently ignored his flaws.
It says a lot about the disappointing Labour Party that they have so few realistic politicians to choose from among the ideologically blind.
Read more: Sarah Ferguson blasts latest batch of Epstein files
The day Peter Mandelson told me to fuck off’
Disgraced former British ambassador to Washington Mandelson and pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (Image: US Committee on Oversight and Government Reform)
It now appears that Mandelson was not only a Machiavellian moneylender, but he may also have passed privileged, market-sensitive government information to his “best friend” Epstein.
There are also rumours that the financier may have worked with the KGB to gather compromising information about influential politicians and businessmen.
What is clear is that he gathered information about powerful friends that might be useful to him one day.
It is alleged that the information Mandelson shared with Epstein – who was serving a prison sentence for soliciting minors for prostitution – was sent to him by Brown’s special adviser Nick Butler in June 2009.
Mandelson received this information following the global financial crisis. It detailed possible policy measures and suggested that the government had saleable assets.
Mandelson forwarded the email to Epstein and said, “Interesting note that has been sent to the Prime Minister.
“Other information included prior notice of a £500 billion EU bailout and Brown’s resignation.
Mandelson also disclosed notes of confidential meetings.
between the then Chancellor and American economist Larry Summers on changes to banking regulation and taxation.
All this has been reported to the Met Police to investigate the leaking of highly sensitive information as possible misconduct in public office.
However, one should not expect immediate results. Brown, who nominated Mandelson for the peerage, failed to see his colleague’s failings and has now called for a police investigation.
However, the decision to reappoint Mandelson to a key position, where sensitivity to secret government information is crucial, demonstrates a lack of judgement.
Prime Ministers frequently appear to conflict with the common-sense beliefs of ordinary Britons.
His enormous Chagos gift is an example, which appears to be motivated by a desire to worship at the altar of international law and a personal friendship with Attorney General Lord Harmer rather than any strategic interests.
His past association with the prosecution of British soldiers is also worrying. Then, there is the irrational devotion to Ed Miliband’s expensive and potentially disastrous net-zero crusade.
At the core of Labour, chumocracy is a malady that not only undermines our national interests but also actively undermines them.
Repeated U-turns reveal Starmer prioritising his own interests over those of his party and country, garnering support from left-wing backbenchers, and ultimately forcing them out.
From time to time, Labour Party leaders have used Mandelson to strengthen their positions, despite his obvious flaws.
While willing to overlook his many crimes, he saw him as an antidote to the stupidity of the party loyalists.
However, by violating the trust placed in him and allegedly divulging government secrets to an outsider,
He has undoubtedly exhausted the tolerance of both his colleagues and the public.
Having already faced forced resignation from the Labour Party, he has now made the decision to step down from the Lords.
– bringing to an end almost four decades of public service in which he has appeared to serve himself as well as anyone else.
