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Starmer Says Mandelson Appointment Mistake, Defends Amid Vote Threat

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his judgment was wrong in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador and blamed senior officials for withholding the security-vetting report.
Deputy prime minister David Lammy defended Starmer as a review began before May 7 local elections, after Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage called for a no-confidence vote.
Peter Mandelson, ambassador to Washington from February 2025 to September 2025, was removed after investigations linked him to Jeffrey Epstein and a security clearance.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his judgment was wrong in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador and blamed senior officials for withholding the security-vetting report.
Deputy prime minister David Lammy defended Starmer as a review began before May 7 local elections, after Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage called for a no-confidence vote.
Peter Mandelson, ambassador to Washington from February 2025 to September 2025, was removed after investigations linked him to Jeffrey Epstein and a security clearance.