King Charles has stripped Lord Mandelson of his Privy Council status, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.
The Prime Minister announced the update during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, January 4.
Lord Mandelson confirmed his retirement from the House of Lords on Tuesday following intense pressure regarding his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Keir faced a grilling from MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions as pressure grows over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador in 2024.
The Prime Minister said new revelations are “beyond infuriating”, that Lord Mandelson “lied repeatedly” about his relationship with Epstein, and that he regrets appointing him.
Sir Keir also said he will release all material relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador, barring national security exemptions.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested the exemptions could be a “whitewash” and called on all files to be released.
Meanwhile, files appear to show that Lord Mandelson lobbied the US Government over banking rules after a request from Epstein.
King Charles strips Lord Mandelson of Privy Council status following Epstein revelations
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Lord Mandelson, then Business Secretary, met President Barack Obama’s chief economic adviser Larry Summers in 2010 after Esptein’s request.
Other emails between Lord Mandelson and Epstein have emerged – including a joke about the ex-Cabinet Minister’s “lack of sex”; a back and forth about Mandelson’s book; and an apparent souring of the relationship in 2012.
In his letter to Labour’s general secretary Hollie Ridley, Lord Mandelson said: “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this.
“Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.
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Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions
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“While doing this I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.”
However, Lord Mandelson questioned the veracity of the documents earlier today. The ex-New Labour Cabinet Minister said: “There are also multiple formatting errors in the documents and I would like JP Morgan to confirm on the record that they are certain these documents are authentic and that the individual cheques are also authentic.
“Until this fact-checking has been achieved I maintain my original position which is that I have no record and no recollection of ever receiving these sums and that these statements are false.”
An email exchange between Lord Mandelson and Epstein from May 2012 appears to show the depth of their friendship.
Police are currently reviewing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links with Epstein
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GETTYEpstein told Lord Mandelson that “after years of being by your side. supporting your boyfriend when he needed it, unwavering in my guidance, though emotionally rejected, I am disappointed in what appears to be a one way street… jeffrey can I have, jeffrey can you give jeffrey can you organize… can you call, can you arrange .. you have yet to offer real assistance, sign of gratitude or appreciation. …sorry.”
Lord Mandelson told him in a reply: “How much I appreciate your support,” adding: “during your trials and tribulations I never left your side, I was always there with advice and moral support, and I never turned away”.
Meanwhile, King Charles’s younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has also been named in emails released by the US Department of Justice.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed it is reviewing the former prince’s links with the late sex offender, telling GB News on Tuesday: “We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes.
“We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures. We take any reports of sexual crimes extremely seriously and encourage anyone with information to come forward. At this time, these allegations have not been reported to Thames Valley Police by either the lawyer or their client.”
GB News can confirm that the former duke has officially left Royal Lodge, his home since 2003, and is living on the Sandringham estate, funded by King Charles.
Andrew is widely reported to be moving into Marsh Farm, which is currently undergoing renovations.
In the meantime, he is suggested to be staying at Wood Farm, Prince Philip’s former residence.
Andrew has always denied wrongdoing.
