Nine To Noon UK: New Mandelson docs released
Mar 11, 2026
Hugo Gye, UK political editor at the i newspaper covering Westminster, outlines newly released Mandelson documents and warnings to Keir Starmer. He discusses Labour’s mixed reactions and leadership pressure. He explains the UK joining an IEA oil release to calm fuel prices and the debate over fuel duty. He also covers the government losing an appeal over a quashed terror charge involving Irish rap trio Kneecap.
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Starmer Ignored Civil Service Warnings
- Keir Starmer was explicitly warned by civil servants that appointing Lord Mandelson risked reputational damage due to longstanding ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Documents show Starmer proceeded despite warnings and before revelations that Mandelson may have passed secret information to Epstein.
Starmer's Defense Vs Documentary Evidence
- Starmer admits knowledge of a friendship/business relationship with Epstein but says he lacked details of closeness or alleged information-sharing.
- The released papers provide incontrovertible evidence of prior warnings even if no dishonesty by Starmer is proven yet.
Labour Divided But Waiting For More Evidence
- Labour opinion is split: some MPs demand immediate leadership change while most prefer to wait for more documents.
- Political turbulence and global events make an imminent leadership change unlikely despite internal pressure.