The Lord Mandelson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Official portrait, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British Ambassador to the United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 10 February 2025 – 11 September 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Charles III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | Sir Keir Starmer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Dame Karen Pierce | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Sir Christian Turner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Secretary of State | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 5 June 2009 – 11 May 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | John Prescott[a] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | William Hague | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of theHouse of Lords | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life peerage 13 October 2008 – 4 February 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of Parliament forHartlepool | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 9 April 1992 – 8 September 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Ted Leadbitter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Iain Wright | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Peter Benjamin Mandelson (1953-10-21)21 October 1953 (age 72) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Independent (since 2026) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Labour (until 2026) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Lord Morrison of Lambeth (grandfather) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence(s) | Regent's Park,London Vale of Pewsey,Wiltshire[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Hendon County Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Oxford (BA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nicknames |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Peter Benjamin Mandelson, Baron Mandelson (born 21 October 1953) is a British formerLabour Party politician, lobbyist and diplomat. He was theMember of Parliament (MP) forHartlepool from 1992 to 2004. He served inTony Blair andGordon Brown'scabinets asMinister without portfolio,Secretary of State for Northern Ireland,Business Secretary andFirst Secretary of State. He was theBritish Ambassador to the United States in 2025 under Prime MinisterKeir Starmer.
Mandelson served asdirector of communications from 1985 to 1990 during the leadership ofNeil Kinnock. Sidelined duringJohn Smith's leadership from 1992 to 1994, Mandelson became close to Blair and Brown. He was widely regarded as one of the architects ofNew Labour and a key adviser to Blair, contributing to the party's election victories in1997 and2001.
Mandelson served as Minister without Portfolio from 1997 to 1998, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills andPresident of the Board of Trade in 1998 and again from 2008 to 2010, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 1999 to 2001, and First Secretary of State andLord President of the Council from 2009 to 2010. He wasEuropean Commissioner for Trade from 2004 to 2008, being elevated to theHouse of Lords as alife peer in 2008 to serve in theBrown cabinet as business secretary. After Labour lost the2010 UK general election, Mandelson co-founded the lobbying firm Global Counsel. He remained active in Labour politics, and was an adviser to Starmer before Labour's return to office at the2024 UK general election. During his short tenure as ambassador to the United States, Mandelson focused on promoting trade and fostering relationships with the US government during thesecond presidency ofDonald Trump.
Mandelson's career has been marked by controversy, which resulted in his twice resigning from the Cabinet and being dismissed as ambassador in 2025. He bought a home in 1996 partly with an interest-free loan of £373,000 fromGeoffrey Robinson, a Cabinet colleague whose business dealings were subject to an inquiry by Mandelson's department. He had not declared the loan in theRegister of Members' Interests and resigned in December 1998. In January 2001 he again resigned from the government following accusations of using his position to influence a passport application forS. P. Hinduja.
In September 2025, a scandal arose concerningMandelson's association with the convicted child sex offender and financierJeffrey Epstein, which had been revealed in 2019. Following reports that Mandelson had continued his friendship with Epstein after his 2008 conviction, he was dismissed as ambassador by Starmer.[5] In February 2026, there were further reports that Mandelson and his husband had received payments from Epstein, and that in 2009 and 2010, Mandelson allegedly passed sensitive government information to Epstein. Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and from the House of Lords, and theMetropolitan Police began a criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in a public office.[6][7][8]
Peter Benjamin Mandelson was born on 21 October 1953[9][10] inHendon,Middlesex,[11] the younger son of George Norman ("Tony") Mandelson (1920–1988), advertising manager ofThe Jewish Chronicle[12] and a formerofficer in theRoyal Dragoons during theSecond World War,[13] and Mary Joyce, daughter ofHerbert Morrison,[14]London County Councilleader and acabinet minister in theAttlee government.[14][15][16] OfPolishJewishextraction, his grandfather, Norman Mandelson, founded theHarrow United Synagogue.[12] Mandelson was raised inHampstead Garden Suburb; recalling his childhood, he said "my whole upbringing was framed around the Suburb – my friendships and values."[17]
Mandelson attended the Garden Suburb School,[13] and from 1965 to 1972Hendon County Grammar School.[9] During his teenage years he joined theYoung Communist League due to the UK's support of the United States' role in theVietnam War. He readphilosophy, politics and economics (PPE) at theUniversity of Oxford where he was an undergraduate student atSt Catherine's College, Oxford, and his tutors includedNicholas Stern.[9][18][19]
Mandelson worked in the Economic Department of theTrades Union Congress between 1977 and 1978; from 1978 to 1980, he was Chairman of theBritish Youth Council.[10] In 1978, he was delegated to attend theSoviet-organisedWorld Festival of Youth and Students atHavana, Cuba.[20][21] He was elected toLambeth Council at aby-election in 1979 but stood down in 1982, disillusioned with the state ofLabour politics during the leadership ofMichael Foot.[22] Mandelson then worked from 1982 to 1985 as a television producer atLondon Weekend Television onWeekend World, where he formed a friendship with his superiorJohn Birt.[23][24]
In 1985, theLabour Party leaderNeil Kinnock appointed Mandelson the party's director of communications. As director, he was one of the first people in Britain to whom the term "spin doctor" was applied, and he was nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness".[25][2][26][24] Mandelson ran the campaign at the1986 Fulham by-election where Labour defeated the Conservative Party.[27]
For the1987 UK general election campaign, Mandelson commissioned the film directorHugh Hudson, whoseChariots of Fire (1981) had won anOscar as Best Picture, to make aparty political broadcast promoting Kinnock as a potential prime minister. Tagged "Kinnock – the Movie", it led to the party leader's approval rating being raised by 16%,[28] to 19%, in polls,[29] and was even repeated in another PPB slot.[28] The election, held on 11 June 1987, returnedMargaret Thatcher'sConservatives for the third time, although Labour gained 20 seats,[30] and, this time, convincingly pushed the SDP–Liberal Alliance into third place. Opponents termed the Labour Party's election campaign "a brilliantly successful election defeat".[29] He ceased being a Labour Party official in 1990 when he was selected as Labourcandidate for theconstituency ofHartlepool, which was then considered asafe seat.[31]
.jpg)
Mandelson was first elected to theHouse of Commons at the1992 UK general election whichJohn Major's Conservatives won,[32] and made several speeches outlining his strong support for theEuropean Union. Although sidelined during the brief period whenJohn Smith led the Labour Party, Mandelson was by now close to twoshadow cabinet members –Gordon Brown andTony Blair – each regarded as potential futureparty leaders. Following Smith's sudden death on 12 May 1994, Mandelson opted to back Blair for the leadership, believing him a superior communicator to Brown,[33] and played a leading role in the leadership campaign. This created acrimony between Mandelson and Brown, though they were considered to be allies in the Labour Party.[34]
In 1994,Kate Garvey suggested that Mandelson (who was at the time being derided by the trades unions and other Labour factions), should adopt anom de guerre throughout Blair's leadership bid, so that he might conceal his considerable role within the campaign team. Mandelson agreed to be called "Bobby" for the duration and was thanked by Blair using this pseudonym in his victory speech.[35][36] After becoming a close ally and trusted adviser to Blair, Mandelson was Opposition spokesman on the Civil Service from 1995 to 1997,[10] and was Labour's election campaign director for the1997 UK general election, which Labour won decisively. He also won re-election in the2001 and2005 general elections.[37]
During the2009 expenses scandal,The Daily Telegraph raised questions about the timing of Mandelson's second home allowance claim, dating from 2004, saying, "Lord Mandelson billed the taxpayer for almost £3,000 of work on his constituency home in Hartlepool less than a week after announcing his decision to stand down as an MP." Mandelson said in a statement, "The work done was necessary maintenance. All claims made were reasonable and submitted consistent with parliamentary rules."[38]
Mandelson served as aMinister without Portfolio in theCabinet Office from May 1997 to July 1998,[39] when his job was to co-ordinate government from outside the cabinet.[40] A few months after his appointment, he also acquired responsibility for theMillennium Dome, after Blair decided to go ahead with the project despite the opposition of most of the Cabinet and in the face of media hostility.[41]Jennie Page, the Dome project's chief executive, abruptly lost her job after a chaotic opening night and disappointing attendance figures.[42][43] In June 2000, in what was seen as a reference to the close interest in the Dome from Mandelson, known at the time as so-called "Dome Secretary" and his successorCharlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, Page told the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture and Heritage: "I made several attempts to persuade ministers that standing back from the Dome would be good for them as well as good for the Dome".[44]
In July 1998, Mandelson was appointed to the Cabinet asSecretary of State for Trade and Industry[39] and was sworn of thePrivy Council; he launched theMillennium Bug And Electronic Commerce Bill and a CompetitivenessWhite paper, which he described, as "bold, far reaching and absolutely necessary". He also appointed a "Net Tsar" to lead the UK in what he termed the "new industrial revolution". Mandelson reportedly urged Blair to proceed with the Post Office's Horizon IT system, leading to theBritish Post Office scandal in which thousands of innocentsubpostmasters were wrongfully convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting.[45]
Mandelson was a friend of Labour MP and aerospace CEOGeoffrey Robinson since 1979 when he was a researcher to Labour MPAlbert Booth.[46] Mandelson had previously been financially supported by Robinson while working with trade unions, and had remained in touch with him intermittently.[46] Robinson, stated that in 1994, Mandelson had written to Brown, offering his services and stating to Brown he should not seek leadership of what would become New Labour, and in so doing gravitated towards Tony Blair, causing a rift (also referred to as a "feud" byThe Guardian[47]) between Brown and Mandelson.[46]
In 1996, Mandelson was invited to aNew Statesman party in theGrosvenor House Hotel to Robinson's flat, and then subsequently to a dinner by Robinson, where Mandelson discussed difficulties with calls from Tony Blair at early hours, and also in acri de coeur[46] complained to Robinson that he was miserable in his small flat in Wilmington Square, and about his financial circumstances due to his "modest" salary in New Labour, complaining that he did not have "a flat in which he could relax and entertain his friends".[46] Following this, Robinson queried his intentions:
"I asked what he had in mind. He said "Oh there is a place in Notting Hill I would really like, but it's too expensive and there is no-one to help me!" At this point I said that financially I was in a good position and that I might be able to assist if he wanted me to. ...My interpretation of his remark was and remains that he was looking for a loan. I would not say that is why he had come to dinner. But, to judge from the alacrity with which he responded, I do not think I misinterpreted what he said."[46]
Mandelson rang Robinson at 9 am the next morning "anxiously asking if [Robinson] would buy him a house", to which Robinson responded in the affirmative, signalling he would give the loan to Mandelson.[46] Robinson was also previously known as being linked to disgraced former businessmanRobert Maxwell, had offshore funds which posed problems during his time in Labour, and was also alleged to have offered similar loans to other members of New Labour's cabinet.[48]
Robinson stated that the loan was offered with no strings attached, with Mandelson in a hurry to buy a property, Robinson stated Mandelson asked if Robinson was willing to help him find a location in Notting Hill, to which Robinson accepted – stating that Mandelson settled on a four-story house in Northumberland Place, also stating "And [Mandelson] was quite undaunted at the prospect of so large a burden of debt." as Mandelson had stated he would pay it back with money from an inheritance, a salary he would "command" in the private sector which could pay the interest and repay the capital, and that also his eventual publication of memoirs would cover the cost, and for that reason Robinson saw Mandelson as "good for the money".[46]
Mandelson bought a home in a highly-exclusive area ofNotting Hill in October 1996[46] partly with an interest-free unsecured personal loan from Robinson, a Cabinet colleague and millionaire whose business dealings were subject to an inquiry by Mandelson's department, of £373,000 (£753,144 adjusted for inflation in 2025).[49] The total value of the home was £475,000 (£959,097 adjusted for inflation in 2025).[47]
The scandal further elaborated when Mandelson became Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 27 July 1998 and was responsible for the Department of Trade and Industry's investigation into Robert Maxwell's embezzlement of pension funds, but had failed to recuse himself of the position due to conflict of interests.[50] Robinson commented in his memoir that he was surprised that Mandelson did not declare a conflict of interest due to links between Robinson and Maxwell and stated he should have faced up to it, and in trying to escape from the scandal, blamed him.[46] Robinson had dealings with Maxwell's engineering companies but was not alleged to be involved in any of the embezzlement of pension funds.[50] Robinson stated there were rumours of documents being stolen and efforts to retrieve them, but that ultimately he did not know who released the details of their loan.[46]
The article was published inThe Guardian on 22 December 1998, followed by Mandelson going on a press tour immediately after on 22 December as a means of trying to salvage his position and minimise the damage done by theGuardian article, which ultimately was fruitless. On the morning of 23 December, Gordon Brown called Robinson and stated the bottom line was that Mandelson was to resign, and that Tony Blair demanded Robinson resign as well. Blair later called Robinson, according to Robinson, stating that he was very disappointed the press saw a scandal in what he saw as a "private arrangement".[46] Mandelson had not declared the loan in theRegister of Members' Interests, and had kept the loan from Blair for two years. Mandelson resigned on 23 December 1998, stating in a private letter to Blair that "I am sorry about this situation. But we came to power promising to uphold the highest possible standards in public life. We have not just to do so, but we must be seen to do so. Therefore with huge regret I wish to resign. I will always be a loyal Labour man and I am not prepared to see the party and the government suffer the kind of attack this issue has provoked. You can be assured, of course, of my continuing friendship and total loyalty."[49][51]
Robinson stated in conclusion in his memoir that Mandelson had sold the house "for a handsome profit" and had repaid the loan on the home by 2001.[46] Mandelson had also not declared the loan to his lender (theBritannia Building Society) although they decided not to take any action, with the CEO stating: "I am satisfied that the information given to us at the time of the mortgage application was accurate."[52] Mandelson initially thought he could weather the press storm, but had to resign when it became clear that Blair thought nothing else would clear the air.[53] In October 2000, it was reported that Robinson had "accused Peter Mandelson of lying to the Commons about the home loan affair that cost both of them their government jobs."[54][55] It later emerged that while in the role, Mandelson urged Blair to proceed with the rollout of the system which later produced theHorizon IT scandal, arguing that it was the "only sensible choice".[56]
Mandelson was out of the Cabinet for ten months. In October 1999 he was appointedSecretary of State for Northern Ireland, replacingMo Mowlam. In his first speech in the post he mistakenly referred to himself as the "Secretary of State for Ireland".[57] During his tenure he oversaw the creation of thedevolved legislative assembly andpower-sharing executive and reform of thePolice Service of Northern Ireland.
On 24 January 2001, Mandelson resigned from theGovernment for a second time, following accusations of using his position to influencea passport application, stating "I would only ask people to understand that my sole desire and motivation throughout was to emphasise that I had not sought to influence the decision on naturalisation in any way at all, merely to pass on a request for information and the prime minister is entirely satisfied with this."[58][59] He had contactedHome OfficeMinisterMike O'Brien on behalf ofSrichand Hinduja, an Indian businessman who was seeking British citizenship and whose family firm was to become the main sponsor of the "Faith Zone" in theMillennium Dome. At the time Hinduja and his brothers were under investigation by the Indian Government for alleged involvement in theBofors scandal. Mandelson insisted he had done nothing wrong and was exonerated by an independent inquiry bySir Anthony Hammond, which concluded that neither Mandelson nor anyone else had acted improperly.[60]
At the2001 UK general election Mandelson was challenged byArthur Scargill of theSocialist Labour Party and by John Booth, a former Labour Party press officer standing as "Genuine Labour",[61] but Mandelson was re-elected with a large majority.[62] In his victory speech, Mandelson said: "It was said that I was facing political oblivion ... Well, they underestimated Hartlepool and they underestimated me because I am a fighter and not a quitter."[63] His quote would later be referenced byLiz Truss towards the end of her notably short tenure as prime minister in October 2022.[64][65][66]
Despite Labour's victory at the June 2001 general election, a third Cabinet appointment did not materialise and Mandelson indicated his interest in becoming the United Kingdom'sEuropean Commissioner when the newCommission was established in 2004. Both of Britain's Commissioners,Neil Kinnock andChris Patten, were due to stand down. Appointment as a European Commissioner would require his resignation from Parliament, precipitating aby-election in his Hartlepool constituency. His EC appointment was announced in the summer and on 8 September 2004 Mandelson resigned his seat by petitioning to becomeSteward of the Manor of Northstead.[67][68] Labour held the seat at the2004 Hartlepool by-election with a much-reduced majority of 2,033 votes (equating to 40.7% of the vote),[69] being succeeded byIain Wright as MP for Hartlepool.
On 22 November 2004, Mandelson became Britain's European Commissioner, taking thetrade portfolio. During the summer of 2008, Mandelson had a widely publicised disagreement withNicolas Sarkozy,President of France.[9] Sarkozy accused him of trying to sell out European farmers and appeared to blame his handling of the Doha round of trade talks for the "no" vote in theIrish referendum on theTreaty of Lisbon. Mandelson said his position at world trade talks had been undermined and told theBBC he did not start the row, saying, "I stood up for myself, I'm not to be bullied", and said he believed the row was over but renewed his warnings onprotectionism.[9] In October 2008, he left his post as Trade Commissioner to return to UK politics.
TheEpstein files indicated thatJeffrey Epstein made payments totaling approximately £55,000 to Mandelson or his partner between 2003 and 2004,[70] and also covered educational fees for Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. Emails within the files suggested that Mandelson shared sensitive UK government information with Epstein during the aftermath of the2008 financial crisis, including early notice of a €500 billion EU bank bailout and lobbying efforts regarding a proposed 50% "super tax" on bankers' bonuses. The revelations prompted reactions from former Prime MinisterGordon Brown, who had appointed Mandelson to ministerial positions and theHouse of Lords, expressing regret over the appointments,[71] and providing evidence to theMetropolitan Police for further inquiry.[72] Amid growing public and political scrutiny, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from the House of Lords in early February 2026, while a criminal investigation into potential misconduct in public office was started.[73]
On 22 April 2005,The Times reported that Mandelson had spent the previous New Year's Eve on the yacht ofPaul Allen, the co-founder ofMicrosoft, a company that was at the centre of a major EU investigation.[74] In 2006,The Daily Mail reported that Mandelson had received a free cruise on a yacht fromDiego Della Valle, a controversial Italian mogul, raising questions as Della Valle's businesses (such as luxury shoe brandTod's) benefited from tariffs imposed shortly thereafter by Mandelson as EU Trade Commissioner on Chinese shoes.[75][76] In October 2008, Mandelson was the subject of much press speculation when it was reported that British-born Canadian financierNathaniel Rothschild, 5th Baron Rothschild and theRussian oligarchOleg Deripaska had met Mandelson when staying on ayacht moored nearCorfu,[77] in order to attend a party held by Rothschild.[78] After speculation that this might constitute a conflict of interest for Mandelson,[79] Rothschild wrote a letter toThe Times newspaper alleging that another guest wasConservativeShadow Chancellor of the ExchequerGeorge Osborne, who, he said, illicitly tried to solicit a donation from the Russian for his party.[80][81][82]
In October 2008, Mandelson was reported to have maintained private contact over several years with Deripaska, most recently on holiday in August 2008 on Deripaska's yacht at Taverna Agni on the Greek island ofCorfu.[83] News of the contacts sparked criticism because, as European Union Trade Commissioner, Mandelson had been responsible for two decisions to cut aluminium tariffs that had benefited Deripaska's United CompanyRusal.[84] Mandelson denied that there had been aconflict of interest and said that he had never discussed aluminium tariffs with Deripaska.[85] On 26 October 2008 theShadow Foreign SecretaryWilliam Hague said the "whole country" wanted "transparency" about Mandelson's previous meetings with Deripaska. In response, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mandelson's dealings with Deripaska had been "found to be above board".[86] Mandelson said that meeting business figures from "across the range" in emerging economies was part of his brief as EU Trade Commissioner.[87] On 29 October 2008, while Mandelson was on a ministerial visit to Moscow,[88] it was alleged in the British press that Valery Pechenkin, the head of security at Deripaska's company Basic Element, had organised a swift entry visa for Mandelson when he turned up inMoscow to visit Deripaska in 2005.[89]
As a former EU Commissioner, Mandelson became entitled to a £31,000 pension upon reaching the age of 65. It was reported in 2009, after Mandelson had returned to the British government, that his pension was contingent on a "duty of loyalty to the Communities", which also applied after his term in office.[90] TheTaxPayers' Alliance demanded that he should declare this a conflict of interest and either relinquish his EU payments or resign as a minister. Mandelson did not agree that he had a conflict of interest.[90] The websiteFull Fact reported in 2019 that the claim was incorrect, stating that while there are rules governing the conduct of current and former EU staff members, which can lead to pensions sanctions, the European Commission had informed them that it would be "probably impossible" for such people to lose their pension for criticising the EU or supportingBrexit. Full Fact also pointed out that there had been multiple cases of current and former commissioners criticising the EU.[91]
On 3 October 2008, as part ofGordon Brown's Cabinet reshuffle it was announced, amid some controversy and surprise,[92][93] that Mandelson would return toGovernment in the re-designated post ofBusiness Secretary and would be raised to thepeerage,[94] thus becoming a member of theHouse of Lords. His return surprised many due to his long-standing political rivalry with Brown.[95][96] On 13 October 2008 he was createdBaron Mandelson, ofFoy in theCounty of Herefordshire and ofHartlepool in theCounty of Durham,[97] beingintroduced in theHouse of Lords the same day.[98] Following his return to office, Mandelson supportedthe planned Heathrow expansion.[99] On 6 March 2009, environmental protesterLeila Deen of anti-aviation groupPlane Stupid approached him outside a summit on the government's low-carbon industrial strategy and threw a cup of green custard in his face in protest over his support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. The protester was cautioned on 9 April for causing "harassment, alarm or distress".[100][101]
In a Cabinet reshuffle on 5 June 2009 Mandelson was appointedLord President of the Council with the honorary title ofFirst Secretary of State;[102] it was also announced that theDepartment for Innovation, Universities and Skills would be merged into his, affording him the new title ofSecretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and that he would continue asPresident of the Board of Trade.[102][103] Mandelson was a member of 35 of the 43 Cabinet committees and subcommittees.[104]
In August 2009, Mandelson was widely reported to have ordered "technical measures" such as internet disconnection to be included in the draft of theDigital Economy Act 2010 after a "big lobbying operation", even though theDigital Britain report had rejected this type of punishment.[105]The Independent reported that according to their Whitehall sources, Mandelson was persuaded that tough laws were needed to reduce online copyright infringement following an intensive lobbying campaign by influential people in the music and film industry.[106] The paper also reported that this included a meeting withDreamWorks co-founderDavid Geffen at theRothschild family villa on the Greek island of Corfu. Mandelson's spokesperson claimed that there had been no discussion of internet piracy during the Corfu dinner and suggested that the decision to reverse Lord Carter's findings had been taken in late July before the trip.The Times reported after the Corfu meeting that an unnamed Whitehall source had confirmed that before this trip, Mandelson had shown little personal interest in the Digital Britain agenda, which has been ongoing for several years. According to the source ofThe Times, Mandelson returned from holiday and effectively issued an edict that the regulation needed to be tougher.[107]
.jpg)
In August 2011, aFreedom of Information (FOI) request showed that Mandelson had decided to approve the inclusion of technical measures, such as the disconnection of internet access, at least two months before public consultation had finished and that he had shown little interest in the consultation. Letters from Mandelson's office document talks withSir Lucian Grainge, CEO ofUniversal Music Group, on 2 June 2009 and that on the following day Mandelson advisedLord Carter about the "possibility of [the Secretary of State] having a power to direct OfCom to go directly to introduce technical measures". Mandelson made the formal announcement that technical measures, including disconnection, were to be included in the Digital Economy Bill two months later on 7 August 2009.[108]
An opinion poll conducted by the centre-left think tankCompass found in March 2009 that Mandelson was less disliked by Labour Party members than deputy leaderHarriet Harman. This was felt to be unusual as Mandelson "historically has been unpopular among Labour members".[109] Blair's assertion in 1996 that "my project will be complete when the Labour Party learns to love Peter Mandelson"[110] was seen as prophetic in late September 2009 when Mandelson was enthusiastically received at theparty conference in Brighton.[111] Documents reported in February 2026 appeared to show that Mandelson lobbiedJPMorgan Chase, while Business Secretary in April 2010, to underwrite the floatation of a £700m mining investment vehicle which was launched by Mandelson's friendNat Rothschild, to theLondon Stock Exchange.[112][113]
In November 2010, Mandelson andBenjamin Wegg-Prosser founded Global Counsel, a London-based lobbying firm with the financial support of WPP, the advertising giant.[114][115] The firm provides advice forcorporate strategists and senior management worldwide. Lord Mandelson has been criticised for not revealing his clientele.[116] As a corporate lobbyist, he personally helped clients such asShein,Shell,Palantir,Alibaba,TikTok, and the UK private water industry obtain meetings with ministers and senior officials.[117][118][119]
In May 2012, Mandelson confirmed that he was advisingAsia Pulp & Paper (APP) in selling timber products to Europe. In that year, APP was accused ofillegal logging inIndonesia and damaging the habitats of rare animals such as theSumatran tiger. At least 67 companies worldwide, such asTesco andKraft Foods since 2004 andDanone since 2012, have boycotted APP.[120][121][122] In April 2014, it was reported that Mandelson had strong ties to Russian conglomerateSistema.[123] Mandelson was criticised for being a member of theHouse of Lords while running a lobbying firm.[124] In 2021, he was the only Labour peer to vote against an amendment denouncinggenocide in Xinjiang.[124] Mandelson served as a senior adviser to the advisory investment banking firmLazard from January 2011 until March 2022.[125][126][127] In 2013, Mandelson also joined the Board of Trustees ofDeutsche Bank'sAlfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft.[128]
After Labour lost the2010 UK general election and theConservative–Liberal Democrat coalition was formed, Mandelson's memoirs,The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour, were published in July 2010.[129][130] The memoirs were criticised by Labour leadership contendersEd andDavid Miliband, and byAndy Burnham.[131] During this time, he was appointedpresident of the international think tankPolicy Network. In 1999, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, Mandelson was an invited guest of theBilderberg Group and attended the annual conferences.[132][133] In May 2011, there was speculation that Mandelson had been approached byChina to be a candidate for the leadership of theInternational Monetary Fund, even though he had not served as afinance minister or headed acentral bank.[134][135] It was then speculated in March 2012 that Mandelson's name might be put forward to succeedPascal Lamy asDirector-General of the World Trade Organisation, backed byDavid Cameron.[136][137] In June 2013, writing for theProgress website, Mandelson warned Labour it risked harming its election chances ifaffiliated trade unions continued to "manipulate parliamentary selections" as was alleged in the2013 Labour Party Falkirk candidate selection controversy.[138][139]
After the2015 Labour leadership election resulted inJeremy Corbyn becoming theparty leader, Mandelson stated that he believed that Labour was now unelectable, but advised party members unhappy with the situation to wait for Corbyn to demonstrate this before working to replace him.[140] He wished for an early general election to force Corbyn out.[141] In February 2017, he said Corbyn had "no idea in the 21st century how to conduct himself as a leader of a party putting itself forward in a democratic election" and "I work every single day to bring forward the end of [Corbyn's] tenure in office".[142] After the results of the2017 UK general election became known, Mandelson conceded that Corbyn's election campaign was "very sure-footed" and the result, in which Labour gained seats and denied the Conservatives a majority, unexpected.[143] "I was wrong" about Corbyn, he toldBBC News. "I am very surprised, an earthquake has happened in British politics and I did not foresee it", although he doubted Corbyn's ability to gain a Commons majority.[144] Two years later, at the2019 UK general election, Labour suffered their worst defeat since the 1930s.[145] Mandelson described the result as "not undeserved", arguing that Corbyn's leadership was one of the main reasons for Labour's defeat.[146]
During the2016 EU referendum, Mandelson sat on theboard ofBritain Stronger in Europe, the official "Remain" campaign, which was unsuccessful.[147] Following the Brexit referendum, Mandelson was an outspoken advocate fora second referendum.[148] AfterRoberto Azevêdo announced he would step down asDirector-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in September 2020, Mandelson declared an interest in succeeding him. He proceeded to lobby governments around the world for the role,[149] arguing that the WTO had "reached a fork in the road" and had to be "picked up and put back on its feet".[150] Mandelson, an opponent of Brexit, was overlooked in favour of the ConservativeLiam Fox:[151] his prospective candidacy ceased when Fox secured the UK Government's nomination.[152]
After the2020 Labour leadership election resulted inKeir Starmer becoming the party leader, it was reported the following year that Mandelson had been advising Starmer on moving the party beyond Corbyn's leadership and broadening its electoral appeal.[153] In 2023, Mandelson was one of the regular guests of the weekly podcastHow To Win An Election fromThe Times, presented byMatt Chorley and alongsidePolly Mackenzie andDanny Finkelstein.[154] He was described as having a "significant influence" on Starmer's office as a "core part" of his political network, and was an adviser to Starmer for several years before Labour's2024 UK general election victory. In the lead-up to the election in June 2024, Mandelson warned against public overconfidence in a Labour victory, echoing a strategy used by Blair before the 1997 election. Appearing on the BBC, he stated, "I don't believe the polls for one moment". Mandelson also publicly campaigned for Labour by reassuring voters that the party had changed under Starmer and was a "safe" option for government after years of Conservative rule. Speaking before the election, he correctly predicted a public appetite for change that would lead to a Labour victory, similar to the major political shifts seen in 1979 and 1997.[155][156]
.jpg)
In December 2024, Mandelson was nominated asHM Ambassador to the United States by Starmer, to replaceKaren Pierce who had been rotated out of her post as the British ambassador to the US and appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans.[157][158][159] As a veteran on trade issues, Mandelson's appointment was aimed at helping the UK secure trade opportunities with the US. He assumed office of the ambassadorship on 10 February 2025, following the presidential transition fromJoe Biden to that ofDonald Trump.[160]
Upon appointment, he said: "It is a great honour to serve the country in this way. We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities and it will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and our nation's security, and to advance our historic alliance with the United States."[159] Previously opposed to Trump and describing him as "little short of awhite nationalist and racist",[2] as "reckless and a danger to the world", and likening him to "abully",[161] Mandelson revised his opinion, publicly asserting his respect for Trump, according to the will of the people.[162] Trump had appeared to enjoy a warm relationship with Mandelson, praising him during an Oval Office meeting in May 2025. In December 2024, a Trump campaign adviser publicly referred to Mandelson as an "absolute moron".[161]
During his short tenure as British ambassador, Mandelson focused on promoting trade and fostering relationships with the US government duringTrump's second presidency. Mandelson played a significant role in helping to formulate the details of a trade deal between the two countries following Trumpenacting a series of steeptariffs affecting nearly all goods imported into the country, which was praised as a key achievement of his ambassadorship. Appointed just beforeTrump's return to the White House in January 2025, Mandelson was tasked with managing the crucial UK–US "special relationship". He worked to build connections within the new administration, including meetings with Trump himself. Mandelson's role involved strengthening the historic alliance between the two nations, particularly regarding economic growth and security.[163]
In September 2025, controversy arose in the United Kingdom regarding Mandelson's long-standing association with the American financier and sex offenderJeffrey Epstein, ultimately resulting in Mandelson's dismissal as British Ambassador to the United States. Their friendship, which had been publicly known about for some years, spanned at least from 2002 to 2011 and continued after Epstein's first conviction in 2008. Renewed scrutiny and public criticism followed the release of US court documents and a cache of private emails by the US House Oversight Committee.[164]
.jpg)
The released documents detailed the depth and nature of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, particularly after Epstein's 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Among the most damaging disclosures were a 2003 entry inEpstein's birthday book, in which Mandelson described him as his "best pal", and emails from 2008 in which Mandelson wrote that he "thought the world of him", and encouraged him to "fight for early release" from his 18‑month sentence.[165] It also emerged that Epstein had paid for Mandelson's travel in 2003 and that Mandelson had reportedly sought Epstein's assistance with a banking deal while serving as a UK Cabinet minister in 2010.[166]
The revelations placed significant pressure on Starmer, who had appointed Mandelson as ambassador to the United States in late 2024 and had initially expressed full confidence in him. The government stated that the newly published emails provided "materially different" information about the extent of the relationship, particularly Mandelson's suggestion that Epstein's conviction had been wrongful.[167] After Mandelson refused to resign, Starmer dismissed him, describing the emails as "reprehensible" and saying that Mandelson's responses to official questions had been unsatisfactory.[168][169] Mandelson expressed deep regret for the association and "profound sympathy" for Epstein's victims, stating that he had been "taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar".[170]
In a BBC interview in January 2026, Mandelson said he had never seen young women or girls at Epstein's properties and had been unaware of Epstein's sexual crimes. Asked whether he wished to apologise, he expressed sympathy for the victims' suffering but said he did not feel the need to apologise as he had neither known of the abuse nor been complicit in it. He stated that he understood why he had been dismissed and accepted the decision.[171] Later in January 2026, a further release of documents relating to Epstein showed that Mandelson and his then partner, Reinaldo da Silva, had received upwards of $75,000 in payments from Epstein.[172] The documents also revealed that Mandelson, then serving as business secretary, had lobbied government ministers to amend policy on bankers' bonuses at Epstein's request.[173] Mandelson resigned his membership of the Labour Party on 1 February 2026 due to his relationship with Epstein.[174]
_at_World_Economic_Forum_Annual_Meeting_2025.png)
On 13 June 2009, Mandelson allegedly leaked to Epstein a high-level Downing Street document that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour's tax policy plans. The memo was written on 13 June 2009 byNick Butler, who was aspecial adviser to then British prime minister Gordon Brown from 2009 to 2010.[175] A December 2009 email from Mandelson suggested thatJPMorgan Chase bossJamie Dimon should "mildly threaten" the then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling over a bankers' bonus tax.[176] The pressure was reportedly exerted through references to the role of US banks as buyers ofUK gilts, as well as investment plans in London.[177] On 31 March 2010, Mandelson allegedly forwarded confidential minutes of a meeting between theChancellor of the Exchequer,Alistair Darling, and the Director of the USNational Economic Council,Larry Summers, five minutes after he received them, which discussed new banking regulation and taxation that Summers wanted to see, in addition to discussion on how the US should engage with France and Germany.[178] The following day, on 1 April 2010, Mandelson met Larry Summers, and forwarded the minutes of his meeting two minutes after he received them.[178]
Documents released by the US Department of Justice show that Jeffrey Epstein acted as an intermediary to help UAE'sDP World CEOSultan Ahmed bin Sulayem lobby the UK government in 2009 for support regarding the £1.8 billionLondon Gateway port project. Epstein reportedly shared the personal email address of Peter Mandelson—who was then the UK Business Secretary—with bin Sulayem and advised him on how to push through a deal. Emails indicate Epstein told Mandelson to "be nice to Sultan" in October 2009. The lobbying effort was aimed at securing government loan guarantees for the DP World deep-water port project on the Thames in Essex. The project went ahead, and DP World currently runs the London Gateway port.[179][180]
On 9 May 2010, Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout from theEU to save theEuro.[175][176] On 10 May 2010, Mandelson emailed Epstein saying "finally got him to go today", with Gordon Brown resigning the following day.[181][182] In another email on 10 May 2010, Mandelson appeared to reveal to Epstein the existence of a secret underground tunnel between10 Downing Street and theMinistry of Defence.[182] On 2 February 2026,Reform UK and theScottish National Party reported Mandelson to theMetropolitan Police, calling on them to investigate the leaking of confidential Downing Street files, and whether he may have committedmisconduct in public office, pertaining to his time in Cabinet.[183] On 3 February 2026, theCabinet Office referred material to the police which contained market sensitive information surrounding the2008 financial crisis and official activities thereafter to stabilise the economy.[176] On the same day he stepped down as a peer from the House of Lords, and the Metropolitan Police began a criminal investigation.[7][8] On 6 February 2026, Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, CEO of Global Counsel the advisory firm established by Mandelson, resigned due to recent revelations about the firms links with Jeffrey Epstein.[184] It was also reported that Mandelson lobbied the US government in March 2010, to water down proposed restrictions on US bank trading activities, on behalf of Epstein andJes Staley.[185][113]
In his first statements since his dismissal as ambassador to the United States, in January 2026 Mandelson accused European leaders of a "histrionic" reaction toDonald Trump's plan to take over Greenland. Mandelson stated that if Europe's leaders argued without "hard power and hard cash" they would continue to slide into unimportance in the "age of Trump". He also suggested that Trump had achieved "more in a day than orthodox diplomacy was able to achieve in the past decade" when hecaptured Nicolás Maduro.[186]
Mandelson isgay and in the late 1990s was said to be "intensely private" about his personal life.[187] He considers himself a good role model for gay people because of his success in public office. Mandelsonmarried Reinaldo Avila da Silva, a Brazilian translator, on 28 October 2023, after having lived in London with him since March 1998.[188][189][2][190] The couple have acollie dog named Jock, who became popular at parties in theBritish ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C. during Mandelson's brief tenure in the ambassadorial office.[191]
In 2008 Mandelson was hospitalised, suffering fromkidney stone disease, shortly after drinking a glass of Chinese yoghurt in front of reporters in order to show his confidence in Chinese dairy products, which were being banned in Europe due to aconcern over deliberate addition with melamine. Themelamine was added to boost protein in otherwise diluted milk, but had caused ailments, including deaths, in Chinese children. Though his own condition was unrelated to melamine in dairy products, the media reported on the connection.[192][193] Mandelson was guest of honour in 2011 at Herbert Morrison Primary School inVauxhall,South London, which was hosting a special themed day in honour of Mandelson's grandfatherHerbert after whom the school was named.[194]
While his sexual orientation was known to friends, colleagues and constituents, in 1987 theNews of the World ran an issue that attempted toout Mandelson as gay.[187] Mandelson did not respond.[195] Mandelson was outed again byMatthew Parris in 1998 on the BBC programmeNewsnight.[196] This led to press harassment of his partner, with theDaily Express sending a reporter to take pictures of him while he was at his languages course.[187] An internal investigation later found that the photos had been obtained without Avila da Silva's consent and images of him attempting to cover his face had been secretly deleted. Mandelson phoned the BBC and thePress Complaints Commission followingNewsnight's broadcast,[197] and an internal memo was later sent within the BBC, stating: "under no circumstances whatsoever should allegations about the private life of Peter Mandelson be repeated or referred to on any broadcast."[196]
Mandelson served, until 8 October 2008, as President of theCentral School of Speech and Drama.[198] In 2013, Mandelson was appointed to the revived post ofHigh Steward of Hull, an ancient ceremonial position held by his grandfather in 1956–65 and defunctsince 1974.[199] In September 2025, following the Epstein revelations, he was stripped of the role.[200] Mandelson served asChancellor ofManchester Metropolitan University from 2016 to 2024.[10][2][201] In September 2025, following the Epstein revelations, the university rescinded his honorary doctorate and commemorative medal.[202] Finishing fourth out of thirty-eight candidates, Mandelson contested the2024 University of Oxford Chancellor election, whichLord Hague of Richmond won.[203][204] In November 2025, following the Epstein revelations, Mandelson resigned as anhonorary fellow of his alma mater,St Catherine's College, Oxford.[205] He had been appointed as an honorary fellow in April 2018.[206][207]
Life peerage, as a baron (2008)[213]
Grand Officer,Order of the Star of Italy (2016)[214]
Officer,Légion d'honneur (2017)[215]'Do you know what he calls me? Silvertongue'(subscription required)
"Lord Mandelson will no longer be known as The Prince of Darkness, but as Mr. Peter Mountbatten-Darkness"
Mandelson's office has confirmed his attendance at this year's meeting: "Yes, Lord Mandelson attended Bilderberg. He found it a valuable conference."
But if Lamy goes there is talk that Peter Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner, might get the job.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forHartlepool 1992–2004 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister without Portfolio 1997–1998 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 1998 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1999–2001 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | European Commissioner for Trade 2004–2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Secretary of State for Business, Innovation Skills 2008–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | First Secretary of State 2009–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Lord President of the Council 2009–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States 2025 | Succeeded by |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chancellor ofManchester Metropolitan University 2016–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Gentlemen Baron Mandelson | Followed by |
_(St_Edwards_Crown).svg)
.svg)
