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Brown calls Starmer's Mandelson decision a 'mistake'
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the situation facing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as "serious" and suggested Starmer may have acted too slowly in response to the Peter Mandelson scandal. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Brown criticised Starmer's 2024 decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, despite Mandelson's well-documented ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson's ties to Epstein under scrutiny
Brown admitted he, too, had erred in appointing Mandelson to his cabinet in 2008 but defended Starmer as a "man of integrity" who had been "betrayed" by Mandelson. The remarks come as police conclude searches of two properties linked to Mandelson, following the release of email exchanges in the latest Epstein files. These messages suggest Mandelson shared market-sensitive government information with Epstein, including a 2009 memo from Brown's policy adviser Nick Butler about selling government assets to raise public funds.
Financial disclosures and election updates
Other exchanges reveal Mandelson provided Epstein with advance notice of a €500bn EU bailout to stabilise the euro in 2010. As business secretary at the time, Mandelson also sent Epstein near real-time updates during the days following the 2010 general election, when Labour lost its parliamentary majority. Starmer has since stated that Mandelson misled him about the extent of his relationship with Epstein, claiming: "None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship."
Brown demands systemic reforms
Brown expressed shock and anger over the revelations, accusing Mandelson of betraying the UK by jeopardising its economic stability. "Britain was at risk because of that," he said, warning that Mandelson's actions could have enabled speculative trading and caused significant commercial damage. Brown also alleged that Mandelson was planning a post-government career while serving as business secretary, discussing book deals and potential employment with banks during the global financial crisis.
"It was a complete betrayal of his colleagues, of the job he was carrying out, and of the country."
Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister
Calls for transparency and accountability
Brown urged Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor-who also appeared in the Epstein files-to cooperate fully with authorities investigating Epstein's crimes. He described a "global network of very powerful people" who believed they were above the law and called for sweeping reforms to the UK's political system. Among his proposals are the creation of an anti-corruption commission with powers to seize assets, US-style confirmation hearings for senior government appointments, and statutory checks on the bank accounts of those taking up high-profile roles.
Police investigation ongoing
On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they had searched two properties linked to Mandelson-one in Wiltshire and another in north London-as part of an investigation into misconduct in public office. A spokesperson stated that a 72-year-old man had not been arrested but that the inquiry would require "significant" further evidence gathering. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart described the investigation as complex and emphasised that no running commentary would be provided.
Starmer's path forward
When asked whether Starmer remains the right leader to guide the UK, Brown acknowledged the severity of the situation but reiterated his support. "The task is very clear," he said. "We've got to clean up the system and end the corruption and unethical behaviour. If we don't do it, we'll pay a heavy price." Brown urged Starmer to act decisively in the coming months, stating: "Perhaps he's been too slow to do the right things, but he must do the right things now."
