Mandelson saw classified briefings before security clearance, documents show

MANCHESTER, England (CN) — Peter Mandelson was granted access to highly classified government information before completing formal security vetting, according to a second tranche of documents released Monday detailing his appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

The three volumes of emails, WhatsApp messages and official correspondence show Foreign Office officials warning intelligence agencies that Mandelson was being treated as a “rather unique case” as plans were made to provide him with sensitive briefings before he received security clearance.

Mandelson, 72, is one of Britain’s most prominent political figures, having served as a senior minister since the era of former Prime Minister Tony Blair before becoming Britain’s ambassador to Washington in February 2025.

He was dismissed seven months later after previously undisclosed details emerged about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Earlier this year, police arrested Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of an investigation into claims that sensitive government information was shared with Epstein while Mandelson was in office. He was later released on bail.

Mandelson has consistently denied criminal wrongdoing.

From critiquing Keir to divisions over Israel

The documents expose private criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, internal disagreements over Britain’s policy on Israel and Palestine and Mandelson’s efforts to shape relations with President Donald Trump’s administration.

Messages released Monday show Mandelson questioning Starmer’s leadership just months after Labour entered government.

In an exchange with then-Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden in May 2025, Mandelson said members of the prime minister’s team “are not led” and “don’t think [Starmer] knows what he wants.”

He also argued that Downing Street required a “complete revamp.”

The files reveal further criticism of the government’s handling of foreign policy after Britain moved toward recognizing a Palestinian state.

Forwarding what appeared to be a diplomatic telegram detailing the U.S. reaction to the decision, Mandelson wrote to then-senior Foreign Office official Olly Robbins that Britain should be asking itself “how foreign policy is made by our government.”

He described coordination between officials in London and the British Embassy in Washington as “lamentable,” “disjointed” and “disappointing.”

The documents also shed light on tensions within Labour over the Gaza war and reveal private exchanges involving then-Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is widely viewed as a potential future contender for the party leadership.

Mandelson told McFadden in July 2025 that he had received a “wild long hysterical message” from Streeting about Israel.

“I pushed back,” Mandelson wrote. “I can forward but reflects pretty badly on his maturity in my view.”

The exchange followed messages in which Streeting argued Britain should recognize a Palestinian state and sanction Israel.

Streeting said recognition was “morally and politically” right because “Israel is committing war crimes before our eyes.”

He described the Israeli government’s conduct as “rogue state behavior” and said sanctions should be imposed on the state itself rather than individual ministers.

Large sections of the files remain redacted.

Trump’s special request gets shelved

The files offer a detailed look at Britain’s efforts to manage relations with Trump’s second administration.

In briefing notes prepared for Starmer ahead of a White House visit, Mandelson compared entering the Oval Office to “entering the Colosseum.”

He advised Starmer to stay calm, “speak when spoken to and never take the bait.”

Despite those warnings, Mandelson later described Starmer’s Oval Office performance as a “model” for other world leaders.

Other documents show Mandelson personally lobbying for a custom red ministerial box — the traditional briefcase used by U.K. ministers — bearing Trump’s name after the president reportedly personally requested the gift.

The proposal remained under discussion for weeks before being scrapped, a decision that frustrated Mandelson.

The papers also document meetings with Vice President JD Vance, efforts to establish regular contact with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and close monitoring of personnel changes within the administration.

The release further includes correspondence surrounding Mandelson’s resignation in September 2025 amid scrutiny over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.

In a farewell letter to embassy staff, Mandelson said he felt “utterly awful” about the relationship and the suffering of Epstein’s victims.

“I have no alternative to accepting the Prime Minister’s decision,” he wrote.

Palace received Andrew emails years before police probe

Separately, documents released over the weekend disclosed developments in the investigation surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.

Court records show Buckingham Palace received an archive of roughly 30,000 emails in 2020 that allegedly contained evidence the former royal had shared confidential government information while serving as Britain’s trade envoy.

Police are investigating allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor improperly disclosed sensitive government material during the role.

In February, Andrew was arrested before being released on the same charges as Mandelson.

He denies any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein and any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the emails, citing the ongoing investigation.

The disclosure raises questions about what senior palace officials knew and whether potentially relevant material was available years before current police inquiries intensified.

Courthouse News reporter James Francis Whitehead is based in England.

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