/telegraph

A political firestorm has ignited in Westminster following an explosive report by The Daily Telegraph, which suggests that Sir Keir Starmer was explicitly warned about Lord Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein months before the ill-fated ambassadorial appointment.

The report, which has dominated the news cycle on Tuesday 10 February 2026, claims that senior figures—including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy—had privately cautioned the Prime Minister that Mandelson’s "baggage" was too high a risk for the UK’s most sensitive diplomatic post.

The Telegraph’s Revelations: "Warned but Not Deterred"

According to The Telegraph, David Lammy (then Foreign Secretary) had backed the extension of Dame Karen Pierce’s term as US Ambassador, viewing her as a stable hand compared to the "toxic potential" of Lord Mandelson.

The investigation details a "culture of wilful blindness" within Number 10, alleging:

The Intelligence Warning: Security services reportedly flagged Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with Epstein during the due diligence process.

The "Lies" Defence: While Starmer has publicly claimed he was "misled" by Mandelson, the Telegraph report suggests the Prime Minister was aware of the existence of the relationship but chose to proceed regardless, prioritising Mandelson’s political "weight."

McSweeney’s Role: The paper identifies the now-resigned Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, as the primary driver who pushed the appointment through despite internal dissent.

Starmer on the Brink

The fallout from the story has been immediate. In a piece for The Daily Telegraph this morning, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for the Prime Minister’s resignation, stating:

"This is no longer about a lapse in judgment; it is about a lack of integrity. If the Prime Minister knew the risks and ignored them, he is not just naive—he is complicit in the damage done to our national standing."

DateEventLate 2024Starmer appoints Mandelson as US Ambassador despite Foreign Office concerns.Sept 2025Mandelson sacked after early Epstein emails emerge.Feb 4, 2026Starmer tells Parliament he was "conned" and "lied to" by Mandelson.Feb 8, 2026Morgan McSweeney resigns after admitting the advice was "wrong."Feb 10, 2026The Daily Telegraph reports that Starmer was warned of the risks "all along."