No way to raise Mandelson concerns, former senior official says
Former senior official Sir Philip Barton expressed concerns about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, citing his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Barton stated that he had no opportunity to voice his concerns before the decision was made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The controversy surrounding Mandelson's appointment has raised questions about the vetting process and the judgment of the Prime Minister.
- ▪Sir Philip Barton stated he was not consulted before Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.
- ▪Barton expressed concerns about Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein, calling it a potentially difficult issue.
- ▪The appointment has led to ongoing scrutiny of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's judgment and the vetting process.
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No way to raise Mandelson concerns, former senior official says28 April 2026ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJoshua NevettPolitical reporterParliament TVFormer senior official Sir Philip Barton has told MPs there was no way for him to raise his concerns about Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US.Sir Philip said no-one in Downing Street consulted him before making the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson when he was the top civil servant in the Foreign Office in 2024.Speaking to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sir Philip said he thought appointing Lord Mandelson could be a "potentially difficult issue" because of the Labour peer's known links to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.But he said he was "presented with a decision" made by Prime Minister Sir…
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