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Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion
12 February 2026
Lead MP
Chris Ward
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 28
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
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.
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.
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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