Keir Starmer is set to convene with his top ministers at a Cabinet meeting today amidst the ongoing Peter Mandelson controversy that has once again overshadowed the Government.
A substantial amount of documents released on Monday unveiled scathing remarks from the disgraced former British Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, who criticized Starmer’s leadership at No10 as “beleaguered and bereft,” while also noting a lack of “verve” in the Prime Minister. Among the over 1,000 pages of messages, Starmer’s close ally, Pat McFadden, expressed frustration with Labour colleagues in communications with Lord Mandelson.
All eyes will be on McFadden, the Secretary for Work and Pensions, as he participates in today’s Cabinet session at Downing Street. His messages to Lord Mandelson raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s stance during a previous benefit cuts dispute, indicating a sense of unease for Starmer.
McFadden, who is focusing on upcoming benefits reforms, critiqued Labour MPs for proposing increased taxes to finance welfare programs, highlighting a divide within the Labour Party.
In defense of McFadden, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Paymaster General and Cabinet Office Minister, praised him as a dedicated minister with consistent views on social security and welfare, emphasizing the importance of focusing on opportunity rather than benefits.
Moreover, Thomas-Symonds addressed inquiries regarding his missing messages from the Mandelson files, attributing the loss to a phone theft incident in which his personal device was taken by individuals on mopeds.
The former chief of staff to the PM, Morgan McSweeney, also faced scrutiny due to a similar phone theft incident resulting in the irretrievability of his WhatsApp messages.
Starmer had dismissed Lord Mandelson in September 2025 following calls for his removal over leaked emails showing support for Jeffrey Epstein amid legal troubles. MPs pushed for the release of documents related to Mandelson’s tenure as ambassador, with a debate scheduled for the following day.
Labour MPs were reportedly feeling “flat” on Monday, with internal discord exacerbated by leaked cabinet messages criticizing the government’s performance.
Amid an apparent leadership contest, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting are emerging as potential successors to Starmer. Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor seeking to re-enter Parliament, capitalized on the Mandelson revelations to underscore the erosion of public trust in the political system.
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