LONDON, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The British government on Wednesday published an initial batch of documents related to Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States, following a parliamentary push for greater disclosure over his vetting and official role.
The roughly 147-page released material marks the first installment in a wider handover of papers linked to Mandelson's time in the post. British media reported that some records could remain withheld for now, given the ongoing police investigation and possible future legal proceedings.
Mandelson's appointment had already drawn wild controversy in Britain, with opposition lawmakers pressing the government to explain what was known about his past links to Epstein when he was chosen for the Washington role. The issue added to political pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said Mandelson did not fully disclose the nature of the relationship during the vetting process.
In late January, the U.S. Justice Department made public a large cache of files related to the dead American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prompting renewed scrutiny in Britain. British police confirmed later that they had opened a criminal investigation into Mandelson over alleged misconduct while in public office, including possible disclosure of market-sensitive information.
Mandelson previously served as a senior cabinet minister under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was appointed ambassador to Washington in early 2025 but was dismissed by Starmer after seven months due to questions over his past. ■