A Labour peer has claimed he was “discreetly” advised to “shut up” by Quantity 10 after issuing warnings concerning the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Maurice Glasman, who was the one Labour determine to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration, mentioned he was proven “photos of Peter Mandelson blowing out birthday candles with Jeffrey Epstein” whereas within the US in January.
The peer advised Sophy Ridge on the Politics Hub that he reported this again to Downing Avenue, and was given a “discreet suggestion to basically shut up about that”.
Lord Mandelson was sacked because the UK’s ambassador to the US final Thursday after particulars of his shut relationship with disgraced financier Mr Epstein emerged within the media.
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Lord Glasman, who based the Blue Labour motion in 2009 as a counter to New Labour, advised Sophy that he “held the line” on Lord Mandelson at the same time as he was introduced with pictures of the ambassador and Epstein collectively.
Picture:Peter Mandelson was sacked because the UK’s ambassador to Washington on Thursday. Pic: PA
He mentioned he “reported back to No 10, that really I would think again about this appointment because really [his dismissal] was bound to happen”.
“It was not out of the clear blue sky, was it?”
The peer mentioned he was requested to ship again a report on the matter, which he did, and “that was that”.
“I did say when I got back, I’d think again about this publicly. And then I did get a discreet suggestion to basically shut up about that. And I did.”
Sir Keir Starmer mentioned on Monday he would have “never appointed” Lord Mandelson as US ambassador if he knew then what he is aware of now.
The prime minister mentioned Lord Mandelson went via a correct due diligence course of earlier than his appointment.
However, he added: “Had I known then what I know now, I’d have never appointed him.”
Sir Keir mentioned he knew earlier than Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday that Lord Mandelson had not but answered questions from authorities officers, however was unaware of the contents of the messages that led to his sacking.
He mentioned Lord Mandelson didn’t present solutions till “very late” on Wednesday, which was when he determined he needed to be “removed”.
Lord Mandelson has mentioned he regrets his relationship with Epstein, claiming repeatedly he needs that they had by no means met.
