Former Foreign Office chief says he was pressured to have Epstein associate Mandelson appointed ambassador

Peter Mandelson was appointed head of the British diplomatic mission to the United States in February 2025, despite the fact that he had not passed the background check that all those who aspire to hold public office must undergo.

Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September of the same year, and has since dismissed other collaborators whom he accuses of not having informed him that this person posed a risk to state security.

The Metropolitan Police of London (Met) is investigating Mandelson, nicknamed ‘Prince of Darkness’ for the power he amassed behind the scenes of the British Government and the Labor Party, for leaking classified information to tycoon Epstein, accused of leading a sexual exploitation and pedophile network.

In his appearance before parliamentarians, Robbins stated that he received a “intense pressure” by the Prime Minister’s Office to resolve Mandelson’s security clearance “very quickly.”

There were “very strong expectations” of placing Mandelson in his position as ambassador to the United States, he continued. “The focus was to get him out of the United Kingdom and install it in Washington as soon as possible“he said.

“I would say that throughout January, in all honesty, the foreign secretary’s office was under constant pressure,” he said. “The atmosphere was one of incessant persecution“.

Calls from No. 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s residence, were “very frequent.” However, he replied that they needed time because the investigation into Mandelson had revealed that he was “to the limit” of posing a security risk.

His conclusion was that this person should not receive accreditation that would qualify him for the diplomatic position. To the questions of the parliamentarians, he answered that the cabinet of Starmer had “clearly” received his response.

Starmer, against the ropes

Robbins’ statement increases the pressure on the British premier, who has been suffering for months in the biggest scandal of his career due to the ‘Mandelson case’ since he achieved the biggest victory for Labor in the 2024 general elections.

Despite the fierce offensive of the opposition, which has even asked Starmer if he is “incompetent, liar or both“, the Labor Party has ruled out any “immediate” move to replace the prime minister.

Labor itself has rebuked Starmer for “not wanting to see” the security risks involved in Mandelson’s appointment, which they consider a “prize” in return for his political support.

However, they will pay the price at the polls, when local elections in England, Wales and Scotland are held in two weeks. Several dissenting voices in Labor have criticized the “bunker mentality” and the party’s “lack of transparency.”