- Lord Peter Mandelson suggested using Nigel Farage to improve the UK’s connections with the Trump administration, newly released documents reveal.
- The Government released initial papers concerning Mandelson's appointment after MPs ordered their publication following concerns over his links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
- The due diligence report that went to the Prime Minister ahead of Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador in Washington quoted the peer as saying of Mr Farage: “You can’t ignore him, he’s an elected member of parliament. He’s a public figure. He’s a bridgehead, both to President Trump and to Elon Musk and others . . . National interest is served in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways.”
- The documents also revealed how Sir Keir Starmer was warned of a "general reputational risk" regarding Lord Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and how the disgraced peer wanted a £500,000 settlement.
- National security adviser Jonathan Powell said after Lord Peter Mandelson’s sacking that his appointment was “weirdly rushed”, according to a call record.
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