The Cabinet Office has confirmed that further Mandelson ambassador files will be released to the public, with the process expected to finish before Parliament breaks for Christmas on 17 December. The documents concern Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, a posting that ended in dismissal and later became the focus of a police inquiry.
Earlier tranches of papers were made available in March and June, but a portion was held back while the Metropolitan Police conducted an investigation. The Cabinet Office has now indicated that a number of the remaining documents can be published without interfering with that continuing inquiry. Some material will still be withheld because the Met has asked for it to remain confidential.
Police Investigation Continues
Cat Little, the permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, explained the shift in a letter to the chair of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee. She said the department is starting work to prepare the documents so they can be presented to the House of Commons in response to a humble address motion as quickly as possible. According to Little, the papers will be reviewed and may require redaction in some cases to protect national security or international relations.
The Met Police opened its investigation into allegations that Lord Mandelson, while serving as a government minister, passed market-sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. Lord Mandelson was arrested on 23 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The force said in a statement that its investigation into the alleged misconduct remains ongoing.
Lord Mandelson has consistently indicated that he believes he has not acted criminally, that he did not act for personal gain and that he is cooperating with the police.
Background to the Appointment
The lifelong Labour politician took up the ambassador role in February 2025. He was removed from the position in September after Downing Street said fresh information had come to light about the extent of his relationship with Epstein.
Following his dismissal, the government then led by Sir Keir Starmer faced strong criticism for having given Lord Mandelson the job. In February, MPs voted to compel the government to publish papers connected to his appointment.
Mike Wood, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, argued that the full had still not emerged. He said Labour had done everything possible to keep the information back and that it was released only because of the Conservatives’ humble address.
What Happens Next
The Cabinet Office is now preparing the additional documents for publication, with the expectation that they will be laid before the House before the Christmas recess. The release will be partial, as the Met’s request means some papers will remain under wraps. The department has not specified how many documents will be published or precisely which ones will be redacted.
The timing means the material will arrive while the police investigation is still active, a factor that has shaped both the pace of publication and the decision to withhold certain items. The government has not commented on the content of the documents still to come.
