"As UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson was obviously a risky appointment. There was never any doubt that the former cabinet minister, European commissioner and international business lobbyist would be a skilled operator. The danger came from another of his reliable traits attracting attention for the wrong reasons. Sure enough, little over six months into the role, Lord Mandelson's position became untenable."
"Any association with Epstein who died in a US prison in 2019 was toxic. Yet the prime minister was still expressing confidence in Lord Mandelson earlier this week, when it was known that he had once described the financier as his best pal in a book of birthday greetings. Donald Trump, it seems, was another enthusiastic signatory to that album, so in terms of dubious social contacts, the UK ambassador could claim a special affinity with the US president."
Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to Washington combined diplomatic skill with a history of attention-attracting controversies. His position became untenable little over six months after appointment following revelations about his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially stood by him when links first resurfaced, but publication of correspondence showing Mandelson reaffirmed the friendship after Epstein's conviction, expressed solidarity and urged early release changed that stance. The government says the newly published correspondence was materially different from information available at appointment, but questions about judgment and diplomatic credibility persist.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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