Mandelson-Starmer latest: Gordon Brown says scandal is ‘serious’ for Labour PM – who has ‘acted too slow’

Pressure is growing on the position of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney after it emerged that he was sent a memo warning him against Peter Mandelson being appointed as ambassador to the US.

The memo from Lord Maurice Glasman, the founder of the influential Blue Labour group, was sent while the peer was in Washington DC for Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The Independent political editor, David Maddox, reports:

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Sir Keir Starmer’s situation is “serious” and suggested the Labour leader had been “too slow to do the right things” in reacting to the Peter Mandelson scandal.

But Mr Brown also praised Starmer as a “man of integrity” who had been “betrayed” by Lord Mandelson.

Starmer’s position is in danger because of his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with disgraced financier Epstein continued after his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I mean, there’s always speculation. It happened to me, it happened to Tony Blair. It happens to everybody about how their future should be gauged.

“But this is serious, and the task is very clear. The task is we’ve got to clean up the system, a total clean-up of the system, an end to the corruption and unethical behaviour.

“And if we don’t do it, we’ll pay a heavy price.”

A leading corporate and financial crime lawyer visited Lord Mandelson’s home near Regent’s Park in central London on Saturday.

Adrian Darbishire KC arrived at the former cabinet minister’s house shortly before midday wearing black-rimmed glasses and a navy blue jacket and jeans.

He left the property around 90 minutes later and declined to comment as he left the house, including on whether he represents Lord Mandelson.

But he did confirm his identity to the Press Association. He was previously spotted at the peer’s house on Friday, and was inside when police officers were searching the property throughout the afternoon and evening.

Mr Darbishire KC is described as “a superb tactician and a powerfully persuasive advocate” on the website of QEB Hollis Whiteman’s, where he is listed as joint head of chambers.

The barristers’ chamber says the lawyer “specialises in the defence of professional individuals charged in criminal and disciplinary proceedings arising in connection with their work”, adding Mr Darbishire “has vast experience of the full gamut of offences in this field and creatively defends against them with apparent ease”.

It didn’t take much. In one corner, a charismatic, manipulative paedophile. In the other corner, two ancient and barnacled pillars of the British state. The House of Lords and the monarchy are still standing, but both have taken quite the battering over the past week.

From beyond the grave, Jeffrey Epstein has unwittingly shone an unforgiving light on the make-believe structures that sit at the pinnacle of our constitutional arrangements. A dud prince and an iffy peer were both charmed and corrupted by their contact with the serpentine Epstein.

And now we don’t know what to do about them.

Alan Rusbridger reports:

The Liberal Democrats party have called on the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate Lord Mandelson.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in a letter to the City watchdog: “It is crucial that Mandelson is investigated to see if he or those he leaked information to profited from access to this market sensitive and confidential material.

“He and others must face criminal prosecution if they are found to have abused trading laws for financial benefit.”

Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life amid fury over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

The prime minister is in the centre of a political storm after admitting he was aware of the former peer’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein even after his conviction for child sex offences.

Figures across the political spectrum - including MPs in his own party - have questioned the prime minister’s judgement, with some declaring “it’s over” for Starmer.

Leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski has called on Sir Keir Starmer to step down from his role as prime minister over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

Mr Polanski said the Prime Minister “needs to go” after showing a “catastrophic level of misjudgment” by making Lord Mandelson the US ambassador.

He told the Press Association: “I think the Peter Mandelson scandal actually is bad for democracy in general.

“I think it erodes trust in politicians. I think we already know that people deeply mistrust the political system and, actually, I just think it reflects on everyone really badly.

“I do think Keir Starmer needs to go though. Keir Starmer knew that Peter Mandelson was still friends with a notorious paedophile, was still staying in his house and he brought him into the heart of government because he knew he could whisper into Donald Trump’s ear.

“That’s a catastrophic level of misjudgment. It wasn’t just one mistake – with Keir Starmer we’ve seen misjudgment after misjudgment.”

Labour MP and former shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell has once again questioned why senior government officials did not raise concerns over Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador at the time.

Mr McDonnell said in a post on X: “Labour Party members need to assert control. We have a leader who in denial looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights and deluded leadership contenders fighting like rats in a sack.”

He added: “If we are to save our party and Labour in government we need a thorough cleansing process which exposes not just the role Mandelson played but also the influence of other wealthy individuals and corporations and the way a brutal political culture has undermined party democracy.”