Overview

• Keir Starmer told reporters there will be no future government appointment for Lord Peter Mandelson.
• Lord Mandelson was dismissed as UK ambassador to the United States after emails showed he urged Epstein to “fight for early release” and wrote “I think the world of you” around the time of Epstein’s 2008 sentencing.
• No 10 and the Foreign Office said the published emails made the extent of the relationship appear materially different from what was known when he was appointed.
• Starmer noted the Labour whip is not in question because Lord Mandelson is on a leave of absence from the House of Lords.
• The government is seeking a new ambassador to Washington, with deputy head of mission James Roscoe serving as acting interim ambassador.