David Lammy warned Sir Keir Starmer against appointing Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, it has been claimed. Friends of the Deputy Prime Minister told The Telegraph that he did not want the “Prince of Darkness” to be given the Washington role due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr Lammy is said to have been in favour of extending the term of Dame Karen Pierce as she was seen as well-connected with Donald Trump‘s inner circle. It comes as the Prime Minister has been left fighting for his future amid questions over his judgment in handing Lord Mandelson the job.
Sir Keir admitted this week that he appointed him despite knowing his friendship with the disgraced financier continued after his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.
The Met is investigating the former peer over allegations of misconduct in public office, relating to files appearing to show him sharing government information with Epstein during the financial crash.
It is understood he maintains he did not act criminally and that his actions were not for personal gain.
In a speech on Thursday, the Prime Minister accused the peer of lying about his relationship with Epstein during his vetting for the UK’s most prestigious diplomatic posting abroad.
In response to a Tory-led Commons motion, Downing Street agreed to release all documents relating to the appointment.
Control over which files can be released into the public domain has been ceded to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) after a Labour backlash to No 10’s initial attempt to add possible exemptions to protect international relations.
A spokesman for the Deputy Prime Minister said: “The Deputy Prime Minister is focused on the job in hand and fully supports the Prime Minister as he gets on with delivering for the British people.”