Ex-official describes pressure from U.K. PM’s office, deepening Mandelson row

A former top Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday (April 21, 2026) ‌he had faced “constant pressure” from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office to ​speed up the process to install his pick as U.S. ⁠ambassador, deepening a row that threatens the British leader.

A war of words over who should ultimately take the blame for appointing Labour veteran Peter Mandelson to Britain’s highest diplomatic post ‌despite his past history and known ties to late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has piled pressure on Mr. Starmer, prompting calls by ‌critics for him to quit.

Mr. Starmer has said he was “wrong” to appoint ‌Mr. Mandelson ⁠to the role and has expressed regret, but on Monday (Aoril 20, 2026) put ⁠the blame firmly on officials for failing to tell him that a security vetting body had advised against his appointment – something, he added, would have stopped him from employing the new ambassador.