Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to release files on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US as soon as next week, says a Cabinet minister.
The Government is seeking to publish the documents as soon as possible as it seeks to contain the damage being caused by the Mandelson scandal.
Asked whether the files would be published in early March, possibly next week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News: “So that is our intention.
“But of course, we just need to be guided by the police in some of this.”
She added: “So, we want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing that’s published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation.”
Lord Mandelson was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday morning after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The peer, who was Labour Business Secretary from 2009 to 2010, has been accused of passing on information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Keir has faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the top diplomatic position despite his links to Epstein, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calling for him to resign.
The Prime Minister had admitted to knowing about Lord Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with Epstein, but said the peer “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship when questioned on it.
Under pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties, the Prime Minister agreed to release all the documents relating to the appointment.
Their publication will be overseen by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to ensure the Government’s aim is met that no material which could damage Britain’s national security or diplomatic relations is put out.
But the ISC has made clear it will not restrict documents, even if they are deeply embarrassing to Sir Keir and the Government, from being published.
So the files are expected to reveal damning details over Lord Mandelson’s appointment and how warnings about the peer, who was twice previously sacked from the Cabinet, were ignored.
However, the Cabinet Office’s “due diligence” report on Lord Mandelson may not be released until after the police probe has concluded.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats were using a parliamentary debate on Tuesday to compel ministers to similarly release documents about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as trade envoy.
The former prince served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, and also faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while in the role.
He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.
New Zealand has become the second Commonwealth realm to announce it would support the UK Government if it proposes to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.
It followed a similar step by Australia on Monday.
The agreement of all 15 Commonwealth realms, including the UK, is required to remove Andrew from the line of succession.
He is currently eighth in line to the throne.
