Extracts Reveal Mandelson’s Candid Communications with Ministers

The government has released over 1,000 pages of documentation concerning Lord Mandelson’s selection as the British ambassador to the United States. These records encompass a wide array of correspondence between Mandelson and various ministers, featuring the exchange of counsel and updates, alongside sharp critiques directed at the Prime Minister’s office, Labour parliamentarians, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer himself.

Critique of Downing Street and Keir Starmer

In a message dated 2 May 2025 to Pat McFadden—who served as a Cabinet Office minister at the time and is now the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions—Lord Mandelson expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership tone. He wrote, "Keir lacks verve as does the Cabinet as a whole."

Subsequent exchanges from July of that year suggest Mandelson viewed the advisory team at Number 10 as fragmented. While acknowledging their individual competence, he argued that "they don't work as a team, they are not led and none of them really know what Keir thinks or wants." He further noted, "In fact most of them don't think Keir knows what he wants."

Later that month, Mandelson wrote to McFadden expressing concern over the Prime Minister’s shifting policy stances. "I have a feeling that Keir is now consistently going for direction B," he wrote, citing reversals on the immigration speech, welfare policy, and the situation in Gaza. Mandelson observed a "‘let Keir be Keir’ trend," noting that this sentiment was particularly keenly felt by chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. He described the Prime Minister’s approach as a repetitive cycle of "advance/buckle/advance/buckle," a pattern present since Starmer first assumed leadership.

Mandelson offered a stark assessment of the situation at 10 Downing Street, telling McFadden: "I went in to No 10 after I saw you. It is beleaguered and bereft. It requires complete revamp and infusion of purpose and confidence to get anywhere."

Concerns Raised by MPs

The correspondence also highlights blunt assessments from McFadden regarding public spending and the welfare system. In a message to Mandelson, McFadden noted that in his meetings with fellow Labour politicians, the prevailing question was, "who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others," which he characterized as "the wrong questions."

Supporters of McFadden have clarified that these remarks were made before he took charge of the benefits portfolio, as he was serving at the Cabinet Office at the time. A spokesperson for the Work and Pensions Secretary confirmed compliance with the Humble Address, stating, "Pat has fully complied with the Humble Address and handed over all messages." The spokesperson added that McFadden’s only interaction with Mandelson since leaving government was an encouragement for him to "think about the victims in all this and apologise to them."

Assurances to David Lammy

In a handwritten note dated 18 November 2024, addressed to then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Lord Mandelson pledged that appointing him would be a decision the government would "never regret." He wrote, "I just wanted you to know that if you were minded to appoint me I would make sure you never regret it."

Mandelson emphasized that guiding British interests through the Trump administration would demand "super-human skills and luck and a massive team effort." He described the ambassadorial role as the "last thing I do in public life" and a "huge honour," concluding, "So if you are up for it, so am I." Mandelson was officially appointed to the post on 20 December 2024. Lammy currently holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary.

The 'Red Box' for Trump

Discussions also took place regarding the commissioning of an official government "red box" as a diplomatic gift for US President Donald Trump. The process encountered significant hurdles, leading the former US ambassador to describe the ordeal as "like something out of [TV comedy show the] Thick of It" to No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, admitting he had "gone tonto."

Sir Olly Robbins, then the senior official at the Foreign Office, suggested that the most meaningful gift for the President would be a red dispatch box. This item would feature the gold crest and lettering typical of a UK Ministerial box, but with the inscription "President of the United States."

Advice on AI Language

Business Secretary Peter Kyle indicated he would implement Lord Mandelson’s recommendation to incorporate "more positive language about AI" into the opening of a speech he was preparing for a major international security conference. On 8 February 2025, Mandelson communicated this advice to Kyle, who was serving as Business Secretary at the time.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 18:23:07 UTC