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Question
Mark Pawsey asked about the Prime Minister's admission of responsibility and the need for an urgent inquiry to ensure justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. He also asked about the involvement of the Intelligence and Security Committee in assessing the risk of prejudicing national security or international relations.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that the Prime Minister has taken responsibility for the appointment and has acknowledged it was a mistake. The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address and further work is ongoing to compile the rest of the information. The Intelligence and Security Committee has been involved in assessing the risk of prejudicing national security or international relations.
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Question
Diana Johnson questioned the adequacy of the due diligence process and the extent to which it was followed. She also asked about the government's commitment to improving transparency and accountability.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged that the due diligence process fell short of what is required and that steps have been taken to address this, including the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Commission and changes to the process for direct ministerial appointments.
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Question
John Howell inquired about the Prime Minister's decision-making process and whether it involved any undue influence or political considerations.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that the Government is committed to transparency and accountability and that further work is ongoing to compile the rest of the information relevant to the Humble Address.
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Question
Burghart questioned the rationale behind providing severance pay to Peter Mandelson, the delay in publishing documents, and the redactions made to the documents.
Minister reply
The Minister explained that the severance payment was approved reluctantly to avoid legal fees, and he is reviewing withheld documents with legal advice to determine if they should be published. He stated that redactions are to protect junior civil servants and international security.
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Question
Maskell inquired about the scrutiny of Peter Mandelson’s business associations with companies like Palantir, and whether the documents demonstrate these associations.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that commercial interests were raised by the Cabinet Office, and established processes were in place for new civil servants to remove such interests before taking office. The Minister stated that the business appointment rules are being reviewed for robustness.
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Question
Davey expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister is not present, questioned the Prime Minister's feelings and decisions regarding Mandelson's appointment, and asked for a timeline for publishing documents related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that the Prime Minister regrets the appointment, stated that the severance payment was a quick way to remove Mandelson, and acknowledged that the Government is working on publishing documents related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
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Question
Why did the Government pay a settlement payment to Peter Mandelson when it was clear that he had no case against the Government and the risk of an employment tribunal was minimal? The payment should have been given to victims' charities.
Minister reply
The Government acted based on legal advice in awarding the settlement payment. However, the honourable thing for Peter Mandelson to do would be to donate the payment to an appropriate charity.
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Question
Was legal advice sought regarding the potential outcome of an employment tribunal case brought by Peter Mandelson? If so, what was the advice?
Minister reply
The advice is in the bundle of documents published today. The legal fees in defending the claim at the employment tribunal would have been a cost to the taxpayer, which is why the settlement figure was a much lower amount.
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Question
Does the Government understand that the issue is not just about technicalities and bad decisions but a wider political culture that prioritises proximity to wealth and power over the interests of ordinary people? This culture is represented by Peter Mandelson and needs to change.
Minister reply
The Government recognises that the current system allows for outcomes that can be detrimental. The ambition is to tackle issues of power and wealth in the political system to ensure that the voices of working people are heard.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that he did not act with candour when refusing to answer questions about Mandelson’s pay-off? Is it true that the Government knew that Mandelson's story would have been torn apart in an employment tribunal, which is why they settled out of court?
Minister reply
That was not the rationale. The documents will speak for themselves.
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Question
Is the sickening behaviour and conduct of Mandelson a symptom of structural misogyny? Will the Minister use his office to drive structural misogyny out of Whitehall and Westminster?
Minister reply
The Government is committed to tackling structural misogyny and halving violence against women and girls. The ambition is to ensure that the voices of women who are subject to male violence are heard and that abuse of power and privilege is eradicated.
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Question
How can the Chief Secretary stand at the Dispatch Box and say, 'We must all learn this hard lesson and end a culture that dismisses women’s experiences,' when it was the Prime Minister who chose to ignore those experiences and facts and appoint Peter Mandelson?
Minister reply
The Prime Minister regrets having appointed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The Prime Minister did not know the depth of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein.
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Question
Should we be seeking to distance ourselves from flawed democracies that are drifting towards authoritarianism, such as the United States, rather than using those associated with sex offenders to strengthen such relationships?
Minister reply
The Prime Minister regrets having appointed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The Government is committed to respecting the rules in place and ensuring there are consequences for those who breach them.
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Question
Does the Minister expect us to believe that a shallow relationship with a convicted paedophile is okay?
Minister reply
At the time of the appointment, there were public comments from Peter Mandelson saying that his relationship had ended much earlier than documents now show to be the case. The Prime Minister had further questions put to Peter Mandelson, documents for which will be published in due course.
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Question
What structural safeguards are being implemented to ensure that cronyism never again overrides the national interest in high-level appointments?
Minister reply
The Government is undertaking a range of changes, including the work of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, a review of the business appointment rules, and looking at the role of lobbying and transparency to ensure there are consequences for those who seek to breach the rules.
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Question
Critiques the Government for appointing Peter Mandelson despite his known character flaws and requests for records of all verbal briefings given to the Prime Minister before the appointment.
Minister reply
All documents relating to the appointment and dismissal of Peter Mandelson, barring those held by the Metropolitan police, are being published. There are no further unpublished documents.
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Question
Asks for an update on proposed legislation to remove peerages from peers involved in criminal activity.
Minister reply
The Government is working on legislation to remove peerages from peers involved in criminal behaviour, and will bring forward proposals in due course.
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Question
Requests a rigorous report detailing the background to Government defence awards to Global Counsel and all parties they attended, with guest lists included.
Minister reply
All other documents in scope of the Humble Address, except those held by the Metropolitan police, will be published in the next tranche.
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Question
Discusses the Prime Minister's decision to appoint Mandelson despite known issues, and questions the political motivations behind the appointment.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister regrets the appointment and apologises, stating that he would not have appointed Mandelson had he known the full extent of the issues.
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Question
Questions the judgment of the Prime Minister and requests details on planned legislation to address policy and process weaknesses.
Minister reply
Non-legislative changes will be implemented quickly, while legislative changes, primarily for removing peerages, will be brought forward in the coming months.
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Question
Requests a public inquiry into Epstein’s links to the British establishment, once ongoing investigations are complete.
Minister reply
The Government supports ongoing investigations and encourages individuals with knowledge to come forward to help bring justice to victims.
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Question
Asks when Mandelson’s declaration of interest will be released.
Minister reply
All available documents related to Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal, excluding those held by the Metropolitan police, are published today.
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Question
Requests assurances on lobbying reform and the involvement of citizens assemblies in policy-making.
Minister reply
The wide-ranging set of reviews will consider submissions from relevant committees, including those on Greensill David Cameron lobbying scandal.
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Question
Asks how the Prime Minister could believe Mandelson's lies despite clear warnings of his relationship with Epstein.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister regrets the appointment and acknowledges it was a mistake based on believing Mandelson's lies.
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Question
Asks for assurance that criminal investigations will not be compromised and that documents will be published in a timely manner.
Minister reply
The Government is cooperating closely with the Metropolitan police to ensure investigations are not compromised, and will publish documents timely and independently verified.
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Question
Critiques the Prime Minister for ignoring due diligence warnings about appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador and asks if the issue is due to ignorance, arrogance, or both.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister apologised for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Mandelson was dismissed promptly after it became clear that he had lied about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
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Question
Asks if the Government will follow the money trail to ensure that deals with large American contractors like Palantir do not continue to pay into Epstein’s estate.
Minister reply
Commits to reviewing the case if the hon. Gentleman provides details.
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Question
Asks why the Minister did not answer previous parliamentary questions regarding when Peter Mandelson ceased employment at the Foreign Office and inquires about the tax-free pay-off given to Mandelson.
Minister reply
Clarifies that the tax-free treatment for payments following dismissal is standard under UK tax rules and that the documents sought by the hon. Gentleman are being published.