Overview

• The Foreign Office said newly published messages showed the depth of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was materially different from what was known at his appointment, including a note calling Epstein his “best pal” and emails urging him to contest his 2008 conviction.
• Officials at the Foreign Office and No 10 received details of the emails on Tuesday; Starmer expressed confidence in Mandelson at Wednesday’s PMQs before dismissing him on Thursday, with reports indicating the Prime Minister saw the contents later on Wednesday.
• Mandelson has refused to resign and remains on the payroll as officials assess whether they can terminate his contract without compensation by proving he materially misled ministers.
• Labour MPs have criticized Starmer’s judgment and questioned the role of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, while the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee has sought answers on vetting and urged scrutiny of the next ambassadorial pick.
• Deputy head of mission James Roscoe has been named interim ambassador to manage the embassy and preparations for President Trump’s upcoming state visit.