Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion

12 February 2026 · 28 other contributors

Opened by Chris Ward Lab Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

Parliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Chris Ward raised concerns about lord mandelson: government response to humble address motion in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The Government will remove Peter Mandelson from the list of Privy Counsellors.
  • Legislation will be introduced to strip disgraced peers of their titles.
  • Departments have been instructed to retain relevant material for future reference.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Chris Ward

Last week, the House made a Humble Address requesting information about the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the USA. The Government will remove him from the list of Privy Counsellors, bring forward legislation to strip disgraced peers of their titles, and change direct ministerial appointments processes including politically appointed diplomatic roles. Departments have been instructed to retain relevant material and work is ongoing to identify documents within scope for release when the House returns from recess. The Cabinet Office will refer any prejudicial material on national security or international relations to the independent Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), who are fully resourced to carry out this task. Any release of documents must not undermine an ongoing police investigation, so work is being done with them in consultation.

Other contributors (28)
  • Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar

    Question

    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker— I could not have put it better myself.

    Minister reply

    The Government will comply fully with the motion. The scoping process is underway and material will be released as quickly as possible. Conversations with the Metropolitan Police are ongoing to avoid prejudicing an investigation.

  • Sarah Owen Lab Luton North

    Question

    Is it not time that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, along with Peter Mandelson, answer to both the police and Parliament?

    Minister reply

    That is a matter for the Palace. The issues raised are outside the scope of this Humble Address.

  • Bobby Dean Lib Dem Carshalton and Wallington

    Question

    When will legislation be brought forward to revoke Peter Mandelson's peerage, and what is the deadline for releasing necessary files?

    Minister reply

    Legislation will come forward as soon as possible after the recess. The Cabinet Office is accountable but also the Prime Minister.

  • Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

    Question

    Is full compliance with providing transparency of records vital to rebuild trust in politics?

    Minister reply

    Yes, we will comply fully as quickly as possible. The removal process for the House of Lords is being updated.

  • Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

    Question

    Does the Minister share concern about Mandelson's connection with BYD and secret China agreements?

    Minister reply

    I am dismayed by all revelations. The detail of the China agreements is for the Secretary of State to reply.

  • Apsana Begum Lab Poplar and Limehouse

    Question

    Can details about the £240 million contract with Palantir Technologies be published?

    Minister reply

    There are no details on whether Ministers were present at a Palantir celebration party. Full written reply will come as soon as possible.

  • Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin

    Question

    Is the ISC's independence compromised by its political composition and relationship with Cabinet Office legal advisers?

    Minister reply

    ISC has full resourcing to carry out this task. Work is ongoing to ensure no conflict of interest between the two teams.

  • James Naish Lab Rushcliffe

    Question

    Would the Minister care to explain a bit more about how the Government are planning to address the lobbying of MPs and public officials?

    Minister reply

    The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister set out plans on Monday, focusing on restoring trust in politics through broader considerations beyond specific incidents. The issue is about all Governments at different times, but current public trust levels are low, necessitating rebuilding efforts.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    Question

    Can the Minister confirm that papers relating to the vetting and appointment of Lord Mandelson will be prioritised for release to the Intelligence and Security Committee?

    Minister reply

    Scoping is under way, but a precise number or date cannot be given at this time. The Cabinet Office is working closely with the ISC to deliver information as quickly as possible.

  • Lewis Atkinson Lab Sunderland Central

    Question

    Could the Minister say more about strengthening the process for direct ministerial appointments and how soon these strengthened processes will be put in place?

    Minister reply

    Enhanced security vetting is being looked at, and reforms should come in very quickly. The Prime Minister and his Chief Secretary have set out plans to reform this process.

  • Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

    Question

    What instruction has been given to Cabinet Ministers regarding the publication of WhatsApp messages and emails exchanged with Lord Mandelson?

    Minister reply

    There needs to be a managed process agreed upon by the Cabinet. Information will be published in an appropriate manner, ensuring proper handling across Government.

  • Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South

    Question

    What further actions will this Government take to ensure that victims of sexual abuse are heard by those in power?

    Minister reply

    The Prime Minister has committed to driving cultural change. The Government’s violence against women and girls strategy is groundbreaking, reflecting a passionate commitment from the Prime Minister.

  • Richard Tice Reform Boston and Skegness

    Question

    Will Matthew Doyle be on the first list to be removed from peers given that he should not have been appointed in the first place? Can deleted WhatsApp messages be retrieved for the Intelligence and Security Committee?

    Minister reply

    Legislation is being considered, but specific cases will not be addressed. The second question raises an interesting point; however, a definitive answer cannot be provided at this time.

  • Katrina Murray Lab Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch

    Question

    How do we collectively work to improve the standards of behaviour for political office holders, ensuring victims are heard?

    Minister reply

    The Prime Minister has committed to driving change. The Government’s violence against women and girls strategy is long overdue but reflects a need for broader cultural shifts in politics.

  • Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness

    Question

    How can the integrity of the Cabinet Secretary be assured given his removal from overseeing document transfer?

    Minister reply

    It is not appropriate for a Cabinet Office Minister to comment on the Cabinet Secretary. The process in the Cabinet Office remains unaffected by other matters.

  • Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow

    Question

    Can the Minister assure constituents that this process will be fully transparent, and do you support the point made about listening to victims?

    Minister reply

    Absolutely; transparency is key. The Government will comply with requirements as quickly as possible.

  • Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

    Question

    Will the Minister commit to providing regular updates and giving a date for when the public can expect to see these papers published?

    Minister reply

    We will publish as quickly as possible after the recess. Public confidence is essential, and transparency in publishing material is crucial.

  • James Wild Con North West Norfolk

    Question

    How much money did Lord Mandelson get and what are the Government doing to retrieve it?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Member refers to severance pay; the Foreign Office will provide an update.

  • Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne

    Question

    Do the Government regret not carrying out due diligence on Lord Mandelson in September last year?

    Minister reply

    There are a number of things that we regret. The focus now is on complying with the Humble Address fully, transparently and as quickly as possible.

  • Ann Davies PC Caerfyrddin

    Question

    Public confidence is so important, and the ministerial code requires that Ministers uphold the highest possible standards of propriety. Given the evidence about what the Prime Minister knew regarding Lord Mandelson's appointment, can the Minister confirm whether the Prime Minister will refer himself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards?

    Minister reply

    The Prime Minister has strengthened the powers of the independent adviser and is committed to compliance with standards, but the question does not relate to the Humble Address.

  • John Cooper Con Dumfries and Galloway

    Question

    What are we to make of reports suggesting that the Prime Minister is trying to limit documentation release under the Humble Address? Are such reports accurate?

    Minister reply

    The Government are complying fully and transparently with the Humble Address, and any contrary reports are not correct.

  • Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon

    Question

    Given the issues surrounding Lord Mandelson and Lord Doyle, and an existing internal investigation by Morgan McSweeney and Jill Cuthbertson, will the Government commit to publishing the findings of that investigation?

    Minister reply

    The Prime Minister answered this question yesterday; the matter does not relate to the Humble Address.

  • Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire

    Question

    Throughout his career, did the Minister voice any concerns about the appointment of Lord Mandelson after its vetting process?

    Minister reply

    The Minister was not involved in that matter and therefore has no relevant information.

  • Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth

    Question

    Will there be any reprimand for the Health Secretary regarding WhatsApp communications, which were referred to specifically by the Humble Address?

    Minister reply

    The point was not that it was an improper process but that all Ministers need to follow the established procedure.

  • Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan

    Question

    When will documents be released in compliance with the Humble Address, given previous statements about releasing them when it is right?

    Minister reply

    Documents will be released as soon as possible after the recess.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Will the Minister ensure that the Government hold themselves to the highest standards and provide full detail, enabling transparency for everyone inside and outside of Parliament?

    Minister reply

    Yes; compliance should restore public confidence in transparency and trust.

  • Jeremy Wright Con Kenilworth and Southam

    Question

    Does the Minister agree that any moderation of the Humble Address terms must come back to Parliament, and that concerns about material prejudice to a future trial should not slow down document referral to the ISC?

    Minister reply

    There is no attempt to narrow the scope or motion's terms. The complexity lies in defining the scope and respecting the Met Police’s need to avoid prejudicing live cases.

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