Opposition parties call for inquiry into Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador by Starmer after more Epstein links revealed – UK politics live

The peer said he resigned his membership of the party to avoid causing it ‘further embarrassment’ after emails appeared to show Jeffrey Epstein sent former US ambassador $75,000Olivia Bailey, an education minister, was giving interviews on behalf of the government this morning. Asked if she agreed that Peter Mandelson should have his peerage removed, she said “the reality of the removal of a peerage is a complicated one”. But she said Mandelson was not currently attending the House of Lords, and “I do understand that he does not intend to return.”The Liberal Democrats have joined the SNP (see 10.06am) in saying that Peter Mandelson should be deprived of his peerage.It’s time now for the government to take immediate action by bringing forward legislation to strip Peter Mandelson of his peerage. It is the very least they can do for the victims and survivors of his friend Jeffrey Epstein.If Mandelson has any shame left he will retire from the House of Lords today while this process gets under way. Continue reading...