Mandelson-Starmer latest: Claims Rayner warned PM over peer’s Epstein links after police search his homes

Angela Rayner warned Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been reported.

Sources told The Times on Friday Ms Rayner had privately warned the prime minister that appointing Lord Mandelson would be a mistake because of evidence of his continued relationship to Epstein after his conviction for sex offences.

The former deputy prime minister publicly applied pressure on Sir Keir this week after she called for him to release the vetting documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

Britain will “turn the corner” faster if the government backs Sir Keir Starmer, a minister has said.

Asked whether the prime minister had become a “drag” on the Labour Party, Home Office minister Mike Tapp told Sky News: “We’re starting to turn the corner.

“I believe if we stick with Keir Starmer, which we will, then that corner will turn faster and people will start to feel it.

“But I completely understand the anger and the distress at what’s happened with Peter Mandelson’s appointment. I completely agree with that, and that’s why I’m really pleased to see a genuine, genuine apology from Keir Starmer.”

He added that Sir Keir had “clearly” been lied to during Lord Mandelson’s vetting process, saying: “I trust that, I trust Keir Starmer.

“Let’s see what comes out from the documents. I think transparency is vital and that’s what we’re getting from this government.”

Police have left Lord Mandelson’s property in London carrying several boxes.

Seven officers exited the front door of the house in Camden at about 8.23pm, one carrying a white cardboard box and another with a blue plastic one.

Reporters’ cameras flashed as they drove away in cars that had been parked outside the building.

Earlier, officers were seen searching a car parked outside the address.

Plain-clothed officers wearing blue medical gloves used torches to search the Range Rover.

They left his Camden property shortly before 8.15pm and spent around three minutes looking inside the vehicle before returning to the house.

Figures across the political spectrum – including MPs in his own party – have questioned the prime minister’s judgement, with some declaring “it’s over” for Starmer.

But who could his replacement be, and could they unite a warring party?

Athena Stavrou has more here:

Senior government figures will have to hand over their messages with Peter Mandelson ahead of the release of files related to the prime minister’s decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The government is set to publish Mandelson’s vetting documents in the hopes that transparency will help Sir Keir Starmer weather the political storm threatening his leadership, after he apologised to victims of Epstein for the appointment.

Police have left Lord Mandelson’s property in London carrying several boxes.

Seven officers exited the front door of the house in Camden at about 8.23pm, one carrying a white cardboard box and another with a blue plastic one.

Reporters’ cameras flashed as they drove away in cars that had been parked outside the building.

Our community viewed Dame Karen Pierce’s removal as an unnecessary and gendered misjudgement, sidelining an effective diplomat in favour of ‘one of the boys’.

Sir Keir Starmer has written to the chair of parliament’s intelligence and security committee saying the government wishes to “engage constructively” over the release of vetting files concerning Lord Mandelson.

In the letter, dated 6 February, the prime minister says he has instructed the cabinet secretary to “work with you and your committee to agree the detail of how material that may be prejudicial to the UK’s National Security and International Relations is shared and reviewed, having regard to the requirements of the Metropolitan Police investigation”.

He adds: “As you note in your letter, it is important that documents are made available to parliament as soon as possible, noting that there is likely to be a very significant volume of material that will need to be reviewed to establish whether it is in scope.

“Above all else, the government wishes to engage constructively with the ISC, and to ensure that parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to follow up.”