Newly released British government documents reveal that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned about potential reputational risks linked to Peter Mandelson’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before appointing the senior Labour figure as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States.

The documents, published following mounting political pressure for transparency, include internal due-diligence assessments and correspondence prepared during the vetting process for Mandelson’s diplomatic appointment in late two thousand twenty-four.

The material indicates that officials highlighted concerns about Mandelson’s past association with Epstein and warned that it could pose a reputational risk to the government if the appointment proceeded.

According to the files, the prime minister was informed that Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein had been documented publicly and had continued after Epstein’s two thousand eight conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.

The due-diligence report also noted reports that Mandelson stayed at Epstein’s residence during the financier’s jail sentence and maintained contact with him in the years that followed.

Despite the warnings, the appointment went ahead, placing Mandelson in one of Britain’s most prominent diplomatic posts.

The decision has since come under intense scrutiny following a wave of further disclosures about the relationship between the two men.

Mandelson was dismissed from the ambassadorial role in September two thousand twenty-five after newly released communications and documents suggested that the relationship with Epstein was more extensive than previously understood.

The revelations triggered political controversy and prompted questions about the government’s vetting procedures for high-level diplomatic appointments.

The documents also show that senior advisers and officials raised additional concerns during the appointment process, including issues surrounding the speed with which the position was filled and whether sufficient background checks had been completed before Mandelson began receiving sensitive briefings.

Prime Minister Starmer has stated that his team relied on assurances provided by Mandelson during the vetting process and later concluded that those assurances were misleading regarding the full extent of the relationship with Epstein.

The government has maintained that the newly released files demonstrate that officials acted on the information available at the time while continuing to review procedures for future appointments.

The controversy has intensified political debate in Westminster, with opposition figures demanding further disclosure of internal communications and calling for a fuller explanation of the decision-making process behind the appointment.

Authorities have confirmed that additional documents related to the case will be released in stages as parliamentary scrutiny and ongoing investigations continue.