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Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion
11 March 2026
Lead MP
Darren Jones
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EmploymentStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Darren Jones raised concerns about lord mandelson: 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
Darren Jones apologised for the delay in publishing the documents and acknowledged the strength of feeling in the House about the relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. He emphasised the government's commitment to transparency and accountability and acknowledged that the Prime Minister had taken responsibility for Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States, admitting it was a mistake. The statement also highlighted the ongoing police investigation and the government's commitment to redacting documents only to avoid prejudicing the investigation. Jones announced the release of a first tranche of documents, with further releases planned. The statement detailed the due diligence process and the subsequent dismissal of Mandelson. It also outlined the government's response to the weaknesses in the system, including the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Commission and changes to the process for direct ministerial appointments to ensure access to highly classified material requires national security vetting. The statement concluded by reiterating the government's commitment to learning from the incident and improving standards in public life.
Mark Pawsey
Con
Rugby
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.
Diana Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
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.
John Howell
Con
Henley
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.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
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.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
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.
Edward Davey
Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
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.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
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.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
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.
Clive Lewis
Lab
Norwich South
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.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
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.
Rachel Blake
Lab Co-op
Cities of London and Westminster
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.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
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.
Steve Witherden
Lab
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
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.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
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.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
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.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
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.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
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.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
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.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
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.
Lisa Smart
Lib Dem
Hazel Grove
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.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
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.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
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.
Joe Powell
Lab
Kensington and Bayswater
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.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
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.
Perran Moon
Lab
Camborne and Redruth
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.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
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.
Martin Wrigley
Lib Dem
Newton Abbot
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.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
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.
Shadow Comment
Alex Burghart
Shadow Comment
Alex Burghart criticised the government for being dragged to transparency and for the late release of documents. He questioned the decision to provide severance pay to Mandelson and the lack of full disclosure of his interests. Burghart highlighted the ongoing investigation into Epstein's ranch in New Mexico and the Prime Minister's knowledge of Mandelson's continued relationship with Epstein despite the latter's conviction. He questioned the Prime Minister's judgment and suggested that the appointment was influenced by political connections, particularly the involvement of the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who was associated with Labour Together. Burghart concluded by stating that the Prime Minister had let his party and country down.
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