Labour and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with another bombshell over claims Cabinet ministers attempted to conceal their messages with Lord Mandelson from Parliament. It is claimed Government officials dealing with the Mandelson files had to ask ministers to hand over their messages more than once following what has been described in reports as initial reluctance.
MPs had demanded the release of documents relating to the former Labour minister’s appointment as US ambassador using a parliamentary motion known as a humble address. Thousands of files have been released so far, with the second tranche due next week. This is expected to include Lord Mandelson’s communications with ministers and other government officials during his time as ambassador.
The Telegraph reports that the Cabinet Office was forced to ask twice for the messages, because some ministers initally declined to send a full transcript of their conversations.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “Ministers and former ministers have replied to requests made under the humble address process.”
THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW…