Overview
- Business secretary Peter Kyle said the government weighed known concerns against Lord Mandelson’s “singular talents” and judged the appointment acceptable at the time.
- Newly published 2008 emails show Mandelson urging Jeffrey Epstein to “fight for early release” and writing “I think the world of you,” disclosures officials say were not available during vetting.
- No 10 says it had only extracts on Tuesday, the prime minister defended Mandelson at PMQs on Wednesday, Bloomberg released the full emails that evening, and he was dismissed on Thursday morning.
- Opposition parties demand documents and a detailed timeline, while senior Labour figures and relatives of Virginia Giuffre criticize the judgment that led to the appointment.
- The deputy head of mission, James Roscoe, is leading the Washington embassy as preparations continue for President Trump’s state visit.