Mandelson Files Expose Scathing Critiques of Starmer's Leadership and 'Beleaguered' No 10

The UK government has published a second, extensive batch of documents relating to the ill-fated appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, laying bare his private and scathing criticisms of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his inner circle. The release, which includes over 1,000 pages of WhatsApp messages, emails, and handwritten notes, was ordered by the House of Commons following the scandal over Mandelson's ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A 'beleaguered and bereft' No 10

In a series of messages to Pat McFadden, then a Cabinet Office minister and now the work and pensions secretary, Mandelson painted a picture of a government in disarray. On 2 May 2025, he wrote that Starmer 'lacks verve as does the Cabinet as a whole.' He later described the prime minister's operation in even more damning terms.

I went in to No 10 after I saw you. It is beleaguered and bereft. It requires complete revamp and infusion of purpose and confidence to get anywhere.

Mandelson also took aim at Starmer's top advisers, stating they 'don't work as a team, they are not led and none of them really know what Keir thinks or wants.' He added, 'In fact most of them don't think Keir knows what he wants.'

Calls for 'Trumpian' risk-taking

The documents reveal Mandelson's frustration with the government's cautious approach, particularly after Labour's loss to Reform UK in the Runcorn by-election. He urged ministers to break out of the conventional mould.

It does start right from the top, I am afraid, but you must all contribute more to it by breaking out of the Whitehall system and mould and appearing less like business as usual conventional ministers and, dare I say it, behaving in a more Trumpian risk taking and dare devil way.

He also mocked No 10 staff travelling to the White House as 'keystone cops,' complaining they were 'falling over themselves' over access to the Oval Office.

A pattern of buckling under pressure

Mandelson identified what he saw as a recurring cycle in Starmer's leadership, telling McFadden that the prime minister consistently followed a pattern of 'advance/buckle/advance/buckle.' He cited Starmer's reversals on immigration, welfare, and Gaza policy as evidence of a 'let Keir be Keir' trend that was causing particular concern for the prime minister's then-chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

I have a feeling that Keir is now consistently going for direction B. His recanting on his immigration speech, on welfare, now Gaza.

The 'never regret' promise

Alongside the criticisms, the files include a handwritten note from Mandelson to Deputy Leader David Lammy, dated 18 November 2024, in which he promised the government would 'never regret' appointing him. He described navigating Britain's interests through the Trump administration as requiring 'super-human skills and luck and a massive team effort.' The documents also show Mandelson declined to hand over his personal phone for the publication of his WhatsApp messages.

Political fallout and police investigation

The release is the latest blow to Starmer, who sacked Mandelson in September 2025 after disclosures about the depth of his friendship with Epstein. The prime minister has admitted the appointment was 'wrong' but insists proper processes were followed. The scandal has already prompted calls for Starmer's resignation and comes as he faces a separate challenge to his leadership after poor local election results. Police are investigating Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office over claims he passed sensitive information to Epstein, and some documents have been withheld at the request of Scotland Yard.