Jones texts to Mandelson undisclosed in government release
8 reported2 unconfirmed
According to a single-source report from The Guardian, texts from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones to former US ambassador Peter Mandelson were not disclosed as part of a parliamentary humble address release. The messages, reported by The Spectator, include commiserations after Mandelson was sacked last September due to revelations about his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Jones also requested advice on a reshuffle and made critical comments about then business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and trade union influence. Jones told parliament he had nothing to release because he had changed phones or deleted messages, and Mandelson declined to hand over his own messages. More than 1,500 pages of documents were published, but MPs raised questions about missing documents, some withheld due to a police investigation into Mandelson for misconduct in public office. Jones apologized to MPs and Epstein’s victims, saying he believed he personally benefited from knowing Mandelson.
What’s reported
Darren Jones sent commiserations to Peter Mandelson after Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador.
The texts were not disclosed as part of the humble address release.
Jones requested advice on a reshuffle and made critical comments about Jonathan Reynolds and trade unions.
Jones said he had nothing to release because he deleted messages or changed phones.
Mandelson declined to hand over his own messages.
More than 1,500 pages of documents were published by the government.
Some documents were withheld due to a police investigation into Mandelson for misconduct in public office.
Jones apologized to MPs and Epstein’s victims, saying he believed he benefited from knowing Mandelson.
Open questions
What specific messages between Jones and Mandelson remain undisclosed.
Whether the police investigation will lead to further document releases.
Key figures
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister
Peter Mandelson, former US ambassador
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Jonathan Reynolds, then business secretary
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister
Rachel Reeves, then chief secretary to the Treasury
Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to the prime minister
Olly Robbins, former permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office
Sources: The Guardian
