Miliband and Lammy Expressed Reservations Over Mandelson's US Ambassadorship
Ed Miliband, the UK's energy secretary, has disclosed that he and David Lammy, the then foreign secretary, held discussions expressing serious concerns that the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington could "blow up." This revelation comes in the wake of Mandelson's dismissal after just nine months in the role, following new disclosures about his association with the late financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Security Vetting Controversy and Sacking
Last week, The Guardian reported that Mandelson initially failed his security vetting process, a decision that was subsequently overridden by the Foreign Office. This controversial move led to the sacking of Oliver Robbins, the department's permanent secretary, who is scheduled to provide testimony to a select committee of MPs on Tuesday morning. Robbins is anticipated to defend his actions, arguing that he adhered to established procedures by not disclosing vetting details to ministers and facilitating Mandelson's appointment, which aligned with the explicit desires of Number 10.
Miliband's Candid Remarks on Sky News
In an interview with Sky News on Tuesday, Miliband articulated his apprehensions, stating that Mandelson should never have been appointed due to his connections with Epstein and his lobbying firm's business dealings with Chinese and Russian companies. "You're saying he should never have been appointed and I agree with you," Miliband affirmed. He further noted that he had distanced himself from Mandelson upon becoming Labour leader in 2010.
When questioned about his initial thoughts on the appointment, Miliband responded, "That it could blow up, that it could go wrong ... I had a conversation with David Lammy about it before the appointment, and I said I was worried about it ... I think he was worried about it too." He clarified that he was not directly consulted on the matter, suggesting that his views on Mandelson were already well-known within political circles.
Political Fallout and Broader Concerns
Miliband dismissed the idea that the prime minister should resign over the incident, remarking, "No, I don't think he should. Because I think if every time a prime minister made a mistake they resigned, we would shuttle through prime ministers like nobody's business." He emphasized that on significant national judgments, such as the decision to join the war against Iran, Keir Starmer had demonstrated correct and fundamental leadership.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Sarah Champion, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, indicated that a leadership challenge is "absolutely the last thing that we want right now," but acknowledged Starmer's deep unpopularity. She attributed this not to the Mandelson affair but to personal dislike, exacerbated by opposition campaigns. Champion highlighted that public attention is more focused on international events like those in Iran and domestic issues such as rising energy costs, with the Mandelson saga reinforcing perceptions of a detached Westminster bubble.
The unfolding testimony from Oliver Robbins is poised to further scrutinize the vetting processes and political decisions surrounding Mandelson's brief tenure, underscoring ongoing tensions within UK diplomatic and political spheres.
