LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing challenges as his poll ratings decline and rivals consider his position. On Monday, hundreds of pages of documents regarding former U.K. ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, are set to be published. This follows a demand from lawmakers for the release of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment and conduct in a key diplomatic role.
Mandelson was dismissed after nine months, and the controversy surrounding his appointment has contributed to Starmer's precarious position. A previous release of documents in March indicated that ministers had been alerted to the reputational risks associated with Mandelson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. It was also revealed that Mandelson was appointed despite failing security checks, leading to disputes between Starmer and senior civil servants responsible for the vetting process.
The upcoming release may include over 1,000 pages of emails and text messages between Mandelson and government officials. Some documents may be withheld due to an ongoing police investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office against Mandelson. He was briefly arrested in February for allegedly sharing sensitive government information with Epstein during his time as a minister.
Health Secretary James Murray stated that the release signifies an unprecedented level of transparency from the government, acknowledging that Mandelson's appointment was a mistake. Conservative lawmaker Alex Burghart warned that any excessive withholding of documents would be seen as contempt of Parliament and a cover-up.
Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September 2025 after it was revealed that he had maintained contact with Epstein following Epstein's 2008 conviction. Critics argue that Starmer's decision to appoint Mandelson reflects poor judgment, particularly after Labour experienced significant losses in local elections in May. Calls for Starmer's resignation have increased, especially after the emergence of details about Mandelson's connections to Epstein from documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January. Senior Cabinet minister Wes Streeting has resigned and plans to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also expected to run for a parliamentary seat and potentially challenge Starmer if successful.