Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from Labour MPs following his decision to approve the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to Washington, despite being aware of his past links to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Starmer acknowledged that he knew about Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein at the time of the appointment. He said, however, that Mandelson had “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship.

Downing Street later attempted to manage the release of documents related to the appointment process, raising concerns about transparency. But following opposition from Labour MPs—led by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner—the Government was forced to hand control to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, which will now decide what material can be made public.

Political Fallout

The controversy comes ahead of a key by-election in Manchester and May’s local and devolved elections. Starmer is expected to address what he describes as “grievance politics” in a speech on Thursday in an effort to shift public attention.

However, the row over Mandelson has intensified doubts about the Prime Minister’s leadership.

In recent weeks, Mandelson has resigned from the House of Lords, quit the Labour Party, stepped down from the Privy Council, and is now facing a criminal investigation following fresh revelations from the so-called Epstein files.

Delayed Release of Documents

On Wednesday, MPs approved the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment. A government minister later told Parliament that publication would not be immediate and could take weeks or months.

The delay follows a request from the Metropolitan Police, which asked the Government not to release materials that could undermine its investigation.

Starmer has also faced criticism over attempts to withhold certain papers on the grounds that they could harm national security or international relations.

MPs Criticise Vetting Process

Labour MP Andy McDonald questioned how Mandelson passed security vetting.

“It beggars belief that we could ever get a security vetting process that would sign off affirmatively on somebody in these circumstances,” he said.

Speaking to the Press Association, McDonald described Mandelson’s appointment as “an appalling failure of judgment,” arguing that concerns about his conduct were already in the public domain.

The mounting criticism from within Labour ranks has added to political pressure on Starmer as questions continue over accountability, transparency, and leadership.