The Story

Will the Mandelson files expose Starmer?

9 snips
Mar 12, 2026
Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent at The Times, gives quick, sharp reporting on the Mandelson files. He explains what the released documents show. He outlines who backed or warned about Mandelson, the chaotic exit negotiations, and what this might mean for the Prime Minister’s judgment. He warns more documents could follow.
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ANECDOTE

Journalists Scrutinised Files In A Portakabin Sprint

  • Political journalists raced through released files in a small Portakabin near Parliament to spot key phrases.
  • Aubrey says the team trawled the documents in about 25 minutes, shouting lines to flag new revelations.
INSIGHT

Due Diligence Already Flagged Epstein Links

  • The Mandelson appointment was flagged in formal due diligence as a reputational risk tied to Epstein links.
  • A 2019 J.P. Morecambe report noted Mandelson stayed at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in 2009 and joined an Epstein-funded ocean group in 2014.
INSIGHT

Number 10 Split Between Pushers And Warners

  • Inside Number 10 there were two camps: proponents like Morgan McSweeney and Lord Doyle pushed Mandelson, while senior figures including Jonathan Powell and Philip Barton raised alarms.
  • Documents show the process was rushed and access to sensitive information occurred before full security clearance.
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