Sacked US ambassador Mandelson’s payoff ‘to be reviewed by government’ | EUROtoday

A reported five-figure payoff acquired by Peter Mandelson as a part of his exit package deal when he was sacked as US ambassador is being reviewed by the Foreign Office, it has been reported.

Lord Mandelson was fired over his relationship with the disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein, and anger in Westminster has intensified after the most recent launch of paperwork, which indicated he leaked data to his buddy whereas he was a authorities minister.

After being compelled out of his put up in September final 12 months, the peer acquired fee equal to a few months’ wage, in accordance with studies in The Times.

Lord Mandelson’s wage has not been made public, however calculations by the newspaper recommend his former put up would obtain a wage within the diplomatic service’s highest band, between £155,000 and £220,000 every year. This would recommend that Lord Mandelson acquired an exit fee of between £38,750 and £55,000 earlier than tax and different deductions.

Allies of Sir Keir Starmer mentioned the peer ought to give the taxpayer-funded handout again or donate it to a victims’ charity.

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A Foreign Office spokesperson mentioned: “Peter Mandelson’s civil service employment was terminated in September 2025 in accordance with legal advice and the terms and conditions of his employment.

“As we have consistently said to parliament, normal civil service HR processes were followed.

“Further information will be provided to parliament as part of the government response to the motion passed last week which is being coordinated by Cabinet Office.

“A review has been instigated in light of further information that has now been revealed and the ongoing police investigation.”

The revelations come after just lately launched emails from the US Department of Justice seem to point out Lord Mandelson leaked delicate authorities data to Epstein.

Lord Mandelson was sacked in September final 12 months after a unique batch of emails got here to gentle, revealing the peer had continued a relationship with Epstein after he was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

But the brand new releases recommend a relationship between the pair that went far deeper than beforehand advised. Police have been seen looking out two properties linked to Lord Mandelson on Friday as they confirmed an investigation into misconduct in public workplace offences had been launched.

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Sir Keir is dealing with a battle to remain in his job as figures from throughout the political spectrum referred to as for him to resign over his choice to nominate Lord Mandelson. Both David Lammy and Angela Rayner are reported to have warned him towards giving Lord Mandelson the ambassador function over issues in regards to the peer’s recognized relationship to Epstein.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir mentioned Lord Mandelson had “lied repeatedly” about his closeness to the convicted intercourse offender and accused him of “betraying” the nation.

The PM can be dealing with calls from inside Labour ranks to implement a “total overhaul of personnel” in Downing Street, and to confess he made a “catastrophic error of political and moral judgement”, with some calling for his chief of workers Morgan McSweeney to be axed.

Paula Barker, Labour vice-chair of each the requirements committee and the privileges committee, criticised Sir Keir’s “questionable” judgement over the saga, including: “When your chief of staff becomes the story, then often it’s time for them to go.”

Fellow Labour backbencher Karl Turner added: “If McSweeney is still in 10 Downing Street, the PM is up against it.”

Opposition events have issued requires the prime minister to resign following the furore. On Saturday, Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch instructed The Telegraph that she believes Sir Keir Starmer knew about Lord Mandelson’s hyperlinks to Epstein however “chose not to care”.

The chief of the opposition mentioned: “I was in government for five years. I know how vetting works. I had to fight to get people into jobs.

“If the Conservative Research Department knew Mandelson had continued that friendship [with Epstein]everybody knew. But Starmer chose not to care. He promised to be whiter than white, yet gave us self-righteousness and false piety.”

The Independent has contacted Lord Mandelson for remark.