Forum Topic

Mandelson

He has no recollection of Epstein giving him £75,000.  This is a huge sum of money to most people in this country and shows how far out of touch he is with the ordinary people the Labour Party is meant to represent. Also, how can I erase that photograph of him in his underpants from my mind?!

Martine Guy ● 22d78 Comments

"I think this is the nail in Labour’s coffin."I wouldn't think that Farage and Reform are ready yet.Of course, Mandelson has to be charged and tried yet. And then found guilty. And then appeal?By then, Zia Yusuf might be leader. And Farage in the Lords.

David Ainsworth ● 8h

So Mandelson has finally been arrested.  I am far more interested in Mandelson, Starmer, Brown and Blair as they all, especially Starmer knew what Mandelson was capable of.I think this is the nail in Labour’s coffin.

Robert Wheeler ● 9h

I knew you were throwing in a little provocation with calling it soccer, Michael. In Ireland it’s still commonly called soccer because ‘football’ is reserved for Gaelic football; even though you can pick up the ball with your hands and kick it with your feet…..I guess calling it  ‘hand and football’ would be a bit cumbersome. In all honesty I’m not bothered what it’s called, but over the years here I’ve been ‘corrected’ for using the term ‘soccer’…..maybe I’ve been here too long as I’m now correcting others; my younger self would be appalled.

Gerry Boyce ● 15d

It speaks even greater volumes about the situation in the not so US of A!

Philippa Bond ● 15d

Ivonne, Gerry , sorry, I was being a bit naughty saying soccer - I thought someone would make a comment on it. I seem to recall back at school c~1960s the trms soccer and football were used interchangeably - and then there was rugby, although at some schools football might be rugby. Anyway, calling it soccer might be less ambiguous for any American and Australian readers :-)

Michael Ixer ● 15d

Mr Hawkes, surely obfuscation is the result of vagueness and uncertainty - or even whataboutery - not simple, straightforward logic and accuracy in detail? I'm not going to apologise for being pedantic, I guess that and logical thought was good for my IT work; testing, resolving problems, good design, planning, etc. Surely, IBM must have appreciated such attributes?Although, if I'm going to be pedantic, there is a branch of maths (or philosophical logic) where vagueness is a specialty :-)

Michael Ixer ● 15d

Yes, I asked Robert and he answered, so why are sticking your nose in? He wasn’t hacked, in fact, you seem to be the only case of hacking so far on this site.I think it’s pretty clear it’s mildly humorous and utterly pathetic attempt to save face, or whatever trying to do…. No reply needed, I couldn’t care less.

Gerry Boyce ● 15d

Mr BoyceYou ask Mr Wheeler 'Has your account been hacked too?'What do you know about hacking on the Forum ?Do please share your knowledge with the rest of us or at least the moderators.

John Hawkes ● 15d

Mr Ixer'I quoted the police, who stated he hadn't been arraste; hence he couldn't be in custody. Simple, plain logic?'Please, not more obfuscating hair-splitting.Mandelson has been known for years as a money grabbing sleaze ball, sacked twice for questionable related activities by Tony Blair I recall, and whose seedy lifestyle has now been made fully public.Yet Starmer and Mandelson's Labour apparatchik buddies thought him qualified and appropriate to be made our Ambassador to the US.Speaks volumes really about the current nature of the Labour Party and the Government in general.And of course Starmer cannot be replaced by Ginger Ange until HMRC finish investigating her questionable tax circumstances ! Referring back to the BBC licence fee, an argument could be made that it is worth paying simply for this farce playing daily on BBC News !

John Hawkes ● 15d

Hello Gerry,As far as I understand it, soccer was used in the UK until late 60s or 70s, when it considered an "Americanism" so football became the normal term.It is true that today soccer is associated with America - and long may it continue. Personally, I do not like the term soccer, much prefer football even if I do not like the professional players of that sport.  Football for school children is great fun!!!

Ivonne Holliday ● 15d

"let him who has not sinned - CAST THE FIRST STONE".

Patrick D Barrs ● 16d

It's ok if you only watch it "on-demand" and not "live".https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-can-i-watch-without-a-tv-licence

Michael Ixer ● 16d

@AndyItvx which I believe is ok

Sue Hammond ● 16d

Sue can I ask where you watched the game without a licence as it was on ITV

Andy Pike ● 16d

Yes, from this first round England and France definitely look to be the best teams, by some margin. Ireland could well be a threat to England, although the match is in Twickenham so that might give England the edge. Can’t see any of the other teams  posing too much of a threat. I reckon the final match in Paris between France and England will be a bit of an epic match, could be the Gran Slam decider!!Still a long way to go though, and a lot of injuries to overcome.

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

@GB 18.57To be honest I thought it might be a shoo-in for France to win the tournament but after today’s England performance I am hopeful that 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿can do it!

Sue Hammond ● 16d

It was indeed; the opening round of the six nations.As they say,  “Football is a gentleman's game played by hooligans;  rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen".Soccer is played by yanks!

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

I assume that was rugby not soccer?

Michael Ixer ● 16d

Yup! They certainly were; thats the most convincing English performance for a long while. As things stand, the final match of the tournament; France v England, should be a real showstopper.

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

England were sublime! 👏👏👏

Sue Hammond ● 16d

Not a chance. England leads 29 -0 at half time.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Lucille Grant ● 16d

‘ All clear now.?’ Yes, it’s about as clear as a pint of Guinness, Robert.Anyway, I’m going to watch England get hammered by Wales!

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

I'm puzzled as my original post said the police stated the Mandelson HADN'T been arrested (managed to avoid typos this time...). Perhaps some other, random, 72 yo had been arrested and held in custody but I  don't know anything about that :-)

Michael Ixer ● 16d

No but thanks for asking.My post was in reply to Michael Ixer today at 13.08 who says the police said Mandelson hadn’t been arrested, but yesterday Michael claimed he had under the BBC thread.All clear now.

Robert Wheeler ● 16d

Another cryptic contribution from Robert.Has your account been hacked too?

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

What did he say Don't stand too close to me.

Barbara Stevens ● 16d

Checking the Forum Mandelson/Ambassador discussion December 2024, I happily find that I wrote:-"On balance I don't think that this will end well. So I am in favour of it going ahead.(I should point out that my batting average for prediction over the last decade or so has been rather pathetic.)"And it does improve my prediction average too.

David Ainsworth ● 16d

Michael under the BBC Licence thread you quoted at 21.07 6/2/26 “… perhaps that’s why you were misinformed about a 72 yo man being arrested”.  Clearly Sue wasn’t misinformed she just stated he was in custody.  By this post you claimed he had been arrested.

Robert Wheeler ● 16d

I quoted the police, who stated he hadn't been arraste; hence he couldn't be in custody. Simple, plain logic?

Michael Ixer ● 16d

Ms Stevens' This just goes on and on. It's gone from Beckham's to Mandelson. What will be next on the News.Forum Home'When will Starmer resign or be kicked out by Labour as its leader and who will replace him ?!

John Hawkes ● 16d

Ah, "a land where falls no rain nor hail nor driven snow"

David Ainsworth ● 16d

We all drink Coke and live in perfect harmony.

Barbara Stevens ● 16d

What News would you prefer, Ms S?

David Ainsworth ● 16d

Why does it matter whether he was or wasn't. This just goes on and on. It's gone from Beckham's to Mandelson. What will be next on the News.

Barbara Stevens ● 16d

For what it's worth, Google AI says:-"As of 7 February 2026, Peter Mandelson has not been taken into custody or arrested."Plus:-"Questioning: Mandelson was present during the London search and is expected to be interviewed under criminal caution in the coming days."

David Ainsworth ● 16d

Just for clarity:While closely related in the criminal justice process, being "taken into custody" and "arrested" are not strictly the same, though they often happen together. An arrest is the initial act of taking someone into custody (restricting freedom), while being in custody is the state of being held or detained by authorities. So Mandelson was taken into custody for questioning nobody said he had been arrested apart from Michael initially.

Robert Wheeler ● 16d

Robert,  I'm not a lawyer but I think you have to be arrested in order to be taken into custody. Google's AI seems to agree with that but of course that may be wrong ...

Michael Ixer ● 16d

Nobody said Mandelson had been arrested but taken into custody.  My legal understanding is that the two terms are different.

Robert Wheeler ● 16d

The Met Police has stated Mandelson hasn't been arrested. From the BBC, a reliable source:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99k9yzzvm4o

Michael Ixer ● 17d

His home was searched today.  A 72 year old man has been taken into custody.

Sue Hammond ● 17d

"Well, Kier Starmer says he has full confidence in Morgan McSweeney.I guess that means Morgan will get the boot in the next few days."Maybe.Mandelson: "Epstein lied to me"Starmer: "Mandelson lied to me"MI6: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

David Ainsworth ● 17d

Steven'If a senior Conservative politician had been exposed as revealing state secrets to a convicted paedophile in return for cash payments, I am sure that we would never have heard the end of denunciations of Tory sleaze.'Apt description from today's Spectator by Stephen Daisley.'The experience of government is not what Labour MPs expected. The Labour party is a mass-membership moral superiority complex and its MPs and activists were happiest when railing against Boris Johnson and his ethically compromised government from the safety of the opposition benches. Now the party is in power and confronted with its own foibles and failings and it turns out being held to the standards you set for your opponents isn’t all that pleasant'.

John Hawkes ● 18d

Well, Kier Starmer says he has full confidence in Morgan McSweeney. I guess that means Morgan will get the boot in the next few days.

Gerry Boyce ● 18d

"If a senior Conservative politician had been exposed as revealing state secrets to a convicted paedophile in return for cash payments, I am sure that we would never have heard the end of denunciations of Tory sleaze. Yet all the criticism criticism seems to be directed at Peter Mandelson himself and very little to the Labour prime ministers who advanced his career: Tony Blair, who appointed him as Trade and Industry Secretary and then put him forward as an EU Commissioner,  Gordon Brown who appointed him as Business Secretary and Keir Starmer who gave him the job of Ambassador to the United States."Well, it is not over yet. The Profumo Affair pretty well destroyed Macmillan. Tony Blair has little of a reputation left to lose by now surely. Be interesting to see what happens to Morgan McSweeney.

David Ainsworth ● 18d

Steven'If a senior Conservative politician had been exposed as revealing state secrets to a convicted paedophile in return for cash payments, I am sure that we would never have heard the end of denunciations of Tory sleaze.'You and I well know that the Labour Party, unlike the Conservatives, only exists to aid and assist those more unfortunately positioned in and treated by society.Its MPs have no concern for personal gain or advancement and hence are never corrupt.Unlike those on the Opposition bench.Any questionable actions are mere oversights arising from a busy schedule of doing good.That is why Angela Raynor is well placed to attack Mandelson for his financial corruption and Starmer for being naïve in appointing him to the position he did.Nothing to do with her wanting his job.Anyone remember when Labour was lead by people of substance and principle and not by pygmies (no racism intended) on the make ?Wilson, Callaghan, Castle, Crossman, Jenkins....One should ask oneself - "Can I recite the names of the current Cabinet" ?

John Hawkes ● 18d

I doubt whether Starmer will be allowed to forget. I believe the objective is to make it "generic" so it can't be a process applied to any peer seriously misbehaving, not just Mandelson.Aside from Mandelson's email demeanor breaching the trust of the then Prime Minister (Gordon Brown), one wonders over the years how many other cabinet members may have breached the trust of their colleagues?

Michael Ixer ● 19d

Mandelson only ‘voluntarily’ resigned from the HoL because he didn’t want the ignominy of being kicked out.  Unfortunately though he can continue to call himself Lord Mandelson because it is not possible to resign a peerage, not that he wants to.  Peerages can only be rescinded by legislation ie via an Act of Parliament and Starmer has apparently put this in motion, let’s hope it doesn’t now get forgotten about.

Sue Hammond ● 19d

I’m guessing that the twat, formerly known as Lord Madeleines, will not be appearing on the next Celebrity Traitors. It would be utterly pointless.‘I am, and always have been, a traitor!’ Uhuh! No shit, Sherlock!

Gerry Boyce ● 19d

"I agree with you, Sue!Both, Mandelson and Mone should have their peerages withdrawn."Mandelson:- “I've had a lot of bad luck, no doubt some of it of my own making.” [Standard today].Such insight!

David Ainsworth ● 20d

I agree with you, Sue!Both, Mandelson and Mone should have their peerages withdrawn.

Ivonne Holliday ● 20d

Keir Starmer is being urged to claw back taxpayers' cash from Peter Mandelson amid claims he received a substantial payout after being sacked as US ambassador.The Prime Minister is facing fresh pressure to disclose whether the disgraced peer was handed a severance payment following his dismissal as a senior diplomat.Lord Mandelson was removed from his role in Washington DC, said to be worth around £160,000-a-year, by Sir Keir in September last year over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.But No10 refused to comment on 'HR matters' when quizzed about the financial terms of Lord Mandelson's sacking last year.Asked if any efforts were being made to claw back taxpayers' cash from Lord Mandelson, the PM's official spokesman told reporters:I'm not going to get into HR matters. More broadly, anything of that nature would be set out in annual accounts in line with usual processes.Is #NeverHereKeir still skulking somewhere (abroad) under the radar?  So  convenient when he doesn’t want to answer questions.🙄

Sue Hammond ● 20d

Mandelson has voluntarily stepped down from the HoL but apparently he wants to hang on to the title of ‘Lord’ …

Sue Hammond ● 20d

Blimey, I didn’t see that one coming!😸👍

Sue Hammond ● 20d

🥱🥱🥱

Gerry Boyce ● 20d

💯and ten percent agree, Sue.

Gerry Boyce ● 20d

I agree Martine.  This, yet another bad judgement call by Starmer, will cost him his premiership in my opinion.  He’ll be gone before the May elections.

Sue Hammond ● 20d

Sue, I agree. On Jeremy Vine they were saying it is the biggest political scandal since Profumo.  Comparison was also made to the Oxbridge spy scandals, but these spies did it for a cause whereas Mandelson did this for himself. Also being talked about is the contempt of the elite for the general public, in particular the way Epstein’s victims were treated.

Martine Guy ● 20d

What an error of judgement by Starmer appointing Mandelson as our Ambassador to the U.S.  A woman phoning in to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 said Mandelson should be treated as a traitor to this country.  
I think there is a lot of anger about Mandelson being a Lord, and about the House of Lords in general.

Martine Guy ● 20d

Just heard on LBC that Starmer has requested legislation be drafted to remove Mandelson’s peerage.  He’s only done this because of intense criticism of appointing the snake in the first place, and an attempt to save face.  Michelle Mone next please.

Sue Hammond ● 20d

Boris had a slice of cake and got thrown out.( Sue Gray investigated)Starmer had a curry and a few beers and became Prime Minister.(Sue Gray got promoted)

Andy Pike ● 20d

But Steven remember Boris did eat a slice of cake.The nasty party is alive and well, and residing in Downing Street.

Andy Pike ● 20d

If a senior Conservative politician had been exposed as revealing state secrets to a convicted paedophile in return for cash payments, I am sure that we would never have heard the end of denunciations of Tory sleaze. Yet all the criticism criticism seems to be directed at Peter Mandelson himself and very little to the Labour prime ministers who advanced his career: Tony Blair, who appointed him as Trade and Industry Secretary and then put him forward as an EU Commissioner,  Gordon Brown who appointed him as Business Secretary and Keir Starmer who gave him the job of Ambassador to the United States.

Steven Rose ● 20d

Morning, Ivonne. The police are now reviewing the details released about Mandelson ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/clynp40ekrdt

Michael Ixer ● 20d

Unforgiven

Alexander MacLeod ● 20d

It has been done before:-"The Titles Deprivation Act 1917 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which provided authority for enemies of the United Kingdom during the First World War to be deprived of their British peerages and royal titles."https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titles_Deprivation_Act_1917And Lord Sempill in WW2 retained his title. Otherwise too embarrassing?:-"Churchill protected Scottish peer suspected of spying for Japan.Second World War: Government papers show prominent aristocrat was believed to be leaking naval secrets to Tokyo"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/churchill-protected-scottish-peer-suspected-of-spying-for-japan-1173730.html

David Ainsworth ● 20d

Good morning Michael,Thank you for the information and I understand the different processes followed.However, in Mandelson's case, as he leaked information from No. 10 to Epstein, is this not a serious criminal offence or  treason even?  If an Act of Parliament is required to remove his peerage, let us hope that happens within weeks - and before Easter if possible!

Ivonne Holliday ● 20d

Ivonne, this seems to explain:https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10370/My interpretation is that A M-W's titles were awarded by the Monach (QEII) and could be rescinded by the Monarch (KCIII) using Letters Patent. Life Peerages are apparently "statutory" and require an Act of Parliament to remove them. As I understand it, the HoL can vote to expel a Lord but that only stops them from sitting in the HoL, it doesn't remove the Peerage

Michael Ixer ● 21d

Hello Michael,I do not really know what the process is.  It seems that the honours are distributed left, right and centre without much difficulty or scrutiny.  But, when the behaviour or performance of a member of the HoL falls incredibly short of propriety and it is proven, or there is proof beyond any reasonable doubt, the penalty seems to be almost inexistent.  If A M-W lost his titles, I cannot see why the same principle could not apply to Mandelson.

Ivonne Holliday ● 21d

Haha! Brief encounter, indeed.If that's not available you could try The Good, The Bad and the Undies! Phnar, Phnar!

Gerry Boyce ● 21d

Mr Wheeler'Amusing in politics how recollections differ.  Starmer clearly knew about Mandelson’s past and chose to ignore it.  Class politics in the Labour Party yet they managed to call the Tory’s scum!'By appointing Mandelson our US Ambassador this of course speaks volumes for Starmer's lack of any political judgement or principle."He might be a sleaze bag but he is Labour's sleaze bag and I think with his US contacts will gain us favour with Trump".But of course Tories ARE scum as Boris ate cake with colleagues in the gardens of his home at number 10 during Covid lockdown !

John Hawkes ● 21d

Ivonne. I've only skimmed some bits on this but it might be difficult for Starmer to do this. The HoL could vote to expel him from sitting and voting in the chamber but that doesn't seem to remove his peerage. It may be an Act of Parliament would be required to remove his peerage and sitting in the HoL.

Michael Ixer ● 21d

Ivonne, I agree his Honours should be taken away.  
David, “Brief Encounter” that’s quite funny. Re: the latest revelations, Sarah Ferguson comes out of it very badly again.  She could have lead a nice quiet, comfortable life avoiding the limelight but her greed for money was insatiable.

Martine Guy ● 21d

Hello Michael,I cannot see any reason why Starmer and/or the King cannot withdraw his title.  I agree with the HoL as it stands today, the principle of it.  It is time that politicians are stopped from nominating buddies who are good for nothing.  Thank goodness Nadine Dories did not get one!!!

Ivonne Holliday ● 21d

And worth remembering:-Mandelson:- "“Why do you want to just walk away and pass the title deeds of this great party over to someone like Jeremy Corbyn? I don’t want to, I resent it, and I work every single day in some small way to bring forward the end of his tenure in office.“Something, however small it may be – an email, a phone call or a meeting I convene – every day I try to do something to save the Labour party from his leadership.”In response, a Labour source hit back at the peer, suggesting Mandelson was part of the establishment. “The idea of Jeremy Corbyn being prime minister and implementing policies that actually benefit the people terrifies the establishment, so it’s no surprise Peter Mandelson has found time in his busy schedule of spending time on oligarch’s yachts to attempt to undermine him,” the source said."(Gdn 21/2/17)

David Ainsworth ● 21d

"Also, how can I erase that photograph of him in his underpants from my mind?!"Watch a great old film?Maybe "Brief encounter"?

David Ainsworth ● 21d

Amusing in politics how recollections differ.  Starmer clearly knew about Mandelson’s past and chose to ignore it.  Class politics in the Labour Party yet they managed to call the Tory’s scum!

Robert Wheeler ● 21d

Interesting that he doesn't deny it outright,  just doesn't recall any payments from Epstein. Or does that imply such a large payment wouldn't be unusual so why would he remember that one? Fir what reason would Epstein make such a payment that can't be recalled? Anyway, he's now resigned from Labour.  And the voters of the UK can't remove him from the HoL. Another reason for its abolishing?

Michael Ixer ● 22d

Maybe Starmer new all about this but thought Mandelson would be able to cpntrol other Epstein players  like Trump??But its all blown up in his face.Just saying .......

Andy Pike ● 22d