Story perspectives

Starmer Faces Privileges Referral Over Mandelson ‘Toxic’ Appointment

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sir Philip Barton called Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein a “toxic hot potato” during testimony.
He said Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the United States on 15 December 2024 without a contingency plan and described the skip of vetting as odd and insufficient.
The House of Commons will vote tomorrow on referring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee for allegedly misleading MPs about the ambassadorial appointment.

1 of 1

Story summary

Sir Philip Barton called Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein a “toxic hot potato” during testimony.
He said Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the United States on 15 December 2024 without a contingency plan and described the skip of vetting as odd and insufficient.
The House of Commons will vote tomorrow on referring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee for allegedly misleading MPs about the ambassadorial appointment.