Mandelson documents highlight close ties to Epstein, criticism of Labour colleagues
Documents released on June 1, 2026 include thousands of pages related to Peter Mandelson, many heavily redacted. According to the documents, Mandelson wrote a handwritten note to then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying “You won’t regret appointing me.” The files also show Mandelson complained about Wes Streeting, describing him as “pathetic” and in an “early mid-life crisis.” He also encouraged Pat McFadden to confide in him, then dismissed McFadden as an “insignificant lightweight” in an email to Patrick Vallance. Mandelson referred to Labor leader Keir Starmer as “rubbish in, rubbish out” and did not list Jeffrey Epstein when asked to name current people of interest, because Epstein is dead. New pensions minister Torsten Bell said of Mandelson, “You’re amazing.” The documents were released at 2 p.m., leaving MPs 90 minutes to review them before Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones gave a Commons statement. Jones described the release as “a triumph of transparency” and said redactions were done with the intelligence and security committee, the Metropolitan police wanted some files withheld, and some messages had disappeared. Jones also stated that some ministers, including himself, had deleted their WhatsApp messages, and that Mandelson had refused to hand over his phone.
What’s reported
Thousands of files on Peter Mandelson were released on June 1, 2026, with many redactions.
Mandelson wrote to David Lammy: “You won’t regret appointing me.”
Mandelson said Wes Streeting was “pathetic” and going through an “early mid-life crisis.”
Mandelson dismissed Pat McFadden as an “insignificant lightweight” in an email to Patrick Vallance.
Mandelson said of Keir Starmer: “Rubbish in, rubbish out.”
Asked to list current people of interest he associated with, Mandelson did not list Jeffrey Epstein, because Epstein is dead.
Torsten Bell told Mandelson: “You’re amazing.”
Documents were released at 2 p.m.; Darren Jones gave a Commons statement 90 minutes later.
Jones said redactions were done with the intelligence and security committee; Metropolitan police wanted some files withheld.
Some messages had disappeared; some ministers, including Jones, deleted their WhatsApp messages.
Mandelson refused to hand over his phone; Morgan McSweeney’s phone was stolen.
Key figures
Peter Mandelson, former government minister and proposed ambassador to Washington
David Lammy, former foreign secretary
Wes Streeting, Labour MP
Pat McFadden, Labour MP
Patrick Vallance, government chief scientific adviser
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Jeffrey Epstein, deceased financier
Torsten Bell, pensions minister
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister
Alex Burghart, Conservative MP
Emily Thornberry, Labour MP
Matt Western, Labour MP
Edward Leigh, Conservative MP
Morgan McSweeney, figure mentioned as having phone stolen
Sources: The Guardian
