The key facts

  • The UK Cabinet Office will publish additional documents on Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US, likely before Christmas
  • Some papers were previously withheld because they featured in a Metropolitan Police investigation into Mandelson passing market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein
  • Mandelson was arrested on 23 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and, in his view, did not act criminally

New batch of documents to be released before the Christmas recess

The UK government is preparing to publish additional documents on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US, BBC News reports. Batches of papers were already released in March and June, but some material was withheld because it featured in a Metropolitan Police investigation. Cabinet Secretary Cat Little said in a letter to the chair of parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee that part of the documents can now be published

What is known about the case and what will remain closed

The Metropolitan Police investigation relates to allegations that Mandelson, while a government minister, passed market-sensitive government information to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson was arrested on 23 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office; he is reported to have repeatedly indicated that he believes his actions were not criminal, that he did not act for personal gain, and that he is cooperating with the police. The police themselves have said only that the investigation is ongoing. Even after publication, some documents will remain closed at the police's request, and some may be redacted

Context of the appointment and resignation

Mandelson, a Labour peer, became UK ambassador to the US in February 2025, but was dismissed in September after Downing Street said new information had emerged about the extent of his relationship with Epstein. After the resignation, the government of then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer faced sharp criticism over the appointment, and in February MPs voted to compel the government to publish the papers on the appointment. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said:

Peter Mandelson wearing a dark blue sweater with white headphones in his earsImage source, Press Association