Mandelson called No 10 operation ‘beleaguered and bereft’, documents show
Published documents reveal that Peter Mandelson, in exchanges with cabinet officials, described Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Number 10 operation as “beleaguered and bereft.” The files also show Mandelson commenting that the government was “like the Thick of It” when discussing a plan to present Donald Trump with a red box gift. Before completing developed vetting, Mandelson was given access to highly classified material on a “case-by-case basis,” which Foreign Office officials described as a “rather unique case.” Mandelson had planned a meeting with the head of MI6, Richard Moore, and received briefings on topics including Russia/Ukraine, China, and counter-terrorism. The documents further reveal Mandelson called Health Secretary Wes Streeting “pathetic” and going through an “early mid life crisis” over a Gaza-related intervention. Additionally, Mandelson said former Prime Minister Gordon Brown had lost faith in Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and described the Parliamentary Labour Party as in a “mutinous state.” Chief Secretary to the PM Darren Jones told MPs that all redactions in the documents were approved by parliament’s intelligence and security committee, and that some messages between Mandelson and ministers were unavailable due to disappearing messages or device changes.
What’s reported
Peter Mandelson called No 10 operation “beleaguered and bereft” in July 2025 exchanges with Pat McFadden.
Mandelson said government was “like the Thick of It” regarding a plan to give Donald Trump a red box gift, which was eventually given during a September 2025 state visit.
Mandelson received sensitive briefings and planned a meeting with MI6 head Richard Moore before completing developed vetting.
Foreign Office officials described Mandelson’s pre-vetting access as a “rather unique case.”
Mandelson called Wes Streeting “pathetic” and going through an “early mid life crisis” over Streeting circulating alleged war crimes evidence in Gaza.
Mandelson said Gordon Brown had lost faith in Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, and that the PLP was in a “mutinous state.”
Darren Jones confirmed some messages between Mandelson and ministers were not available due to disappearing messages or device changes.
All redactions in the released files were approved by parliament’s intelligence and security committee, Jones stated.
Open questions
Whether Mandelson’s planned meeting with MI6 head and the security briefings went ahead.
What specific content was discussed in redacted portions of emails about “delete all traffic.”
The full details of Mandelson’s ties to Oleg Deripaska and other figures as declared to vetting officials.
Key figures
Peter Mandelson (Labour peer, former UK ambassador to the US)
Keir Starmer (Prime Minister)
Pat McFadden (cabinet official)
Olly Robbins (head of the Foreign Office)
Morgan McSweeney (PM’s chief of staff)
Douglas Alexander (Scottish secretary)
Darren Jones (chief secretary to the PM)
Simon Hoare (Conservative MP)
Richard Moore (former chief of MI6)
Georgia Gould (former Cabinet Office minister)
Wes Streeting (Health Secretary)
Torsten Bell (pensions minister)
Gordon Brown (former Prime Minister)
Rachel Reeves (Chancellor)
Angela Rayner (Deputy Prime Minister)
Ailsa Terry (private secretary for foreign affairs at No 10)
Sources: The Guardian
