Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 June 2026

Correspondence with the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States, dated 01 June and 21 May 2026

Summary

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy responds to Foreign Affairs Committee questions about Lord Mandelson's appointment as US Ambassador. Lammy acknowledges Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein fell "shockingly far below" ministerial standards, apologises for his role in the appointment, and confirms a criminal investigation is ongoing. He details candidate discussions, denies seeing due diligence reports, and confirms awareness of time pressure from No 10 to expedite vetting before Trump's inauguration.

Key findings

Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein "included behaviour which fell shockingly far below the standards expected of any Minister or civil servant"; Cabinet Secretary referred material to police and criminal investigation is ongoing.
Lammy apologises for his role in Mandelson's appointment and "deeply regret[s] that he was ever appointed in the first place"; he was unaware of the depth of Mandelson's Epstein relationship at the time.
Lammy did not see the Cabinet Office due diligence report on Mandelson; it was submitted to No 10, not the FCDO.
Lammy suggested alternative candidates including David Miliband, Valerie Amos, Cathy Ashton (if Democrat administration) and George Osborne (after Trump's election), but No 10 selected Mandelson.
Lammy was aware of time pressure from No 10 to place an ambassador before Trump's inauguration; Sir Oliver Robbins stated this pressure did not affect process outcomes.

Tone

Factual

Topics

diplomatic-appointmentsforeign-affairssafeguardinggovernment-transparencyvetting-security-clearance

Key actors

David Lammy, Lord Mandelson, Emily Thornberry, Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Sir Philip Barton, Sir Oliver Robbins, Dame Karen Pierce

Notable line

“I apologise for the role I played in Peter Mandelson's appointment and I deeply regret that he was ever appointed in the first place.”

Key Quotes

“At the heart of this is Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, an appalling criminal who committed horrific crimes against women and girls.”
— David Lammy · Opening context on the core issue of the appointment

“Peter Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, the depth of which was revealed by Bloomberg's reporting and then the US Department of Justice's release of files earlier this year, included behaviour which fell shockingly far below the standards expected of any Minister or civil servant.”
— David Lammy · Describing the seriousness of Mandelson's conduct

“It is right that the Cabinet Secretary, with the Prime Minister's support, took the decision to refer material to the police, and there is now an ongoing criminal investigation.”
— David Lammy · Confirming referral to police and investigation status

“I apologise for the role I played in Peter Mandelson's appointment and I deeply regret that he was ever appointed in the first place.”
— David Lammy · Expressing personal responsibility for the appointment decision

“At that point, I was not aware of the depth of Peter Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, nor the subsequent revelations revealed in the Department of Justice's release of files.”
— David Lammy · Explaining lack of awareness at time of appointment

“The FCDO is a 'DV by default' department . My expectation was, as with all Ambassadorial appointments, security clearance would be necessary for Peter Mandelson to carry out the role of UK Ambassador to the United States.”
— David Lammy · On security vetting procedures for diplomatic appointments

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗