‘Beleaguered and bereft’: Mandelson texts expose internal dissent at No 10

Recently declassified government documents have surfaced, revealing a series of communications in which Lord Mandelson and other ministers level sharp criticisms at the Prime Minister, Downing Street, and Labour backbenchers. The release of these 1,500 pages centers on discussions regarding Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the United States, a position he subsequently vacated following revelations of his associations with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

Among the disclosed exchanges, Lord Mandelson characterized No 10 as “beleaguered and bereft,” arguing that the government office required a “complete revamp.” In a separate conversation, Minister Pat McFadden expressed frustration with Labour MPs, stating: “Every meeting I have is ‘who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others’. They're asking the wrong questions.” At the time of these messages, McFadden served as a Cabinet Office minister; he currently holds the role of Work and Pensions Secretary.

In response to the revelations, a spokesperson for McFadden clarified his stance: “Pat has said publicly many times that the question we should ask is not what are you entitled to, but how can we change your life? That has been his whole approach as work and pensions secretary, focusing on how we best spread work and opportunities to young people in particular, rather than writing them off as the previous government did.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the documents, asserting: “Pat McFadden has said in private what he and the prime minister deny in public. As I've said repeatedly, Labour MPs don't understand where money comes from. They think our taxes are their money to spend, rather than the result of the hard work of the people in our country who deserve so much better.”

The publication of these private messages followed a parliamentary vote earlier this year compelling the government to release them. During a House of Commons session on Monday, Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones informed MPs that the release constituted “one of the largest government publications,” costing his department over £1 million. While some sections have been redacted to protect national security or individual privacy, other materials were withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police, who are currently investigating Lord Mandelson regarding allegations of misconduct in public office. Lord Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing.

For several ministers, the released correspondence was limited to messages in which Mandelson sought support for his unsuccessful campaign to become Chancellor of Oxford University, followed by congratulations on his ambassadorial nomination. However, the texts exchanged between Mandelson and McFadden offer a more extensive and critical view of the government’s internal dynamics.

On May 2, 2025, Lord Mandelson remarked that Sir Keir Starmer “lacks verve as does the Cabinet as a whole.” This comment came amidst a period of significant electoral setbacks for Labour, including heavy losses in local elections and the defeat in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The following day, McFadden wrote: “Awful feeling today. What a shellacking. I hope this hurts and worries others as much as it does me.”

By late June 2025, the two men discussed the government’s welfare legislation, a bill designed to reduce the benefits bill by £5bn by 2030. Facing a major rebellion from Labour MPs, the government was forced to significantly dilute its proposals. In the lead-up to the vote, McFadden noted that MPs were “not moving.” Lord Mandelson responded that the government risked losing the vote, adding: “I am not sure that Keir survives that.” McFadden replied that the Prime Minister was meeting with ringleaders that day, stating: “I think it's very bad. Defeat, pull bill or gut it all destroy his authority,” and later emphasized, “Keir's authority.” Lord Mandelson concurred: “Yes, I am afraid so.”

Weeks later, the conversation shifted to Morgan McSweeney, who was then the Prime Minister’s chief of staff. Lord Mandelson noted: “He [McSweeney] seemed to be saying to me last night that he has no faith in Keir's ability to change No 10 and that he needs to prioritize winning majority support in PLP instead.” He concluded with a personal reflection: “I am slightly losing faith in all this.”

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 17:37:47 UTC