UK Politics

Wes Streeting has defended Peter Mandelson after the US ambassador appeared to refer to Jeffrey Epstein as his “best pal” according to files released by a US congressional committee.Britain’s ambassador to Washington features in a 50th birthday book for the convicted paedophile that was compiled by Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently in prison for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex.Appearing on Sky News on Tuesday (9 September), the health secretary said that it was “very clear that [Lord Mandelson] deeply regrets ever having been introduced” to Epstein.Asked if the government would axe Mandelson from his ambassador role, he said: “No, I don’t think we should regard everyone as guilty by association.”The British embassy in Washington has been asked to comment. More

Susanna Reid grilled Nicola Sturgeon on why she was “upset” over flags being raised in Scotland.The former First Minister appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (9 September), admitting that witnessing the saltire being displayed on lampposts in Aberdeen took her by surprise and that she believed the flags were not being flown “to spread that sort of positive view of Scotland”.The broadcaster interjected, asking Ms Sturgeon, “How do you know?””I think we should get less worked up about flags,” the former Scottish National Party leader added. More

Wes Streeting has said that the next deputy leader of the Labour Party should “ideally” be a woman.Appearing on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (9 September), the health secretary said that there are some “brilliant women” that are putting themselves forward in the race to replace Angela Rayner.All the great offices of state, bar the prime minister, are now held by women.“They were appointed on merit, but I think it’s a wonderful thing, that having seen women underrepresented in politics for so long, that women are now rising to the top,” Streeting added, maintaining that different perspectives are essential, not for “tick boxes”, but to run the country and make decisions “that affect the lives of millions of people everyday”. More

Peter Mandelson is facing fresh questions over his ties to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The British ambassador to the US has been linked to a 50th birthday photo book compiled for the financier by Ghislaine Maxwell, now in prison for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex. An apparent contribution by Lord Mandelson features a picture of the pair together, with the former minister grinning in a bathrobe, before he describes Epstein as his “best pal”. Lord Mandelson appeared to describe Jeffrey Epstein as his ‘best pal’ More

Peter Mandelson appeared to refer to Jeffrey Epstein as his “best pal” as he shared a photograph of the pair together in which he is wearing a bathrobe, according to files released by a US congressional committee. Britain’s ambassador to Washington features in a 50th birthday book for Epstein that was compiled by the late financier’s ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently in prison for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex. The book contained a photo of Lord Mandelson and Epstein on what appeared to be the multimillionaire’s island, as well as a handwritten note for the paedophile. The note appeared to take the form of a poem from Lord Mandelson to Epstein, beginning: “Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call ‘mysterious’ parachuted into my life.” Other pictures featured alongside the note included a shot of Lord Mandelson on a balcony in a pair of swimming trunks, shot from behind, with his hands on his hips. Mandelson appeared to describe Jeffrey Epstein as his ‘best pal’ More

Calls have been made for Boris Johnson to be stripped of his access to an allowance for former prime ministers over allegations he has profited from contacts he made while in office.The Guardian published a series of stories based on leaked data provided by a non-profit organisation that suggest Mr Johnson profited from contacts and influence he gained in office.Mr Johnson is alleged to have lobbied a senior Saudi official he met while in office to share a pitch with crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, and to have been paid more than £200,000 after meeting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “These allegations are extremely shocking.“This is yet another reminder of how deep the rot in the Conservative Party goes — it is riddled by sleaze and scandal.Johnson pictured with Mohammed bin Salman in 2022 More

Nigel Farage has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 to the original founder of the Brexit Party. Catherine Blaiklock had brought legal proceedings after she claims she was forced out of control of the party ahead of the 2019 European elections.The county court in Plymouth awarded judgement in default after Mr Farage failed to respond to papers sent against him. The court awarded the maximum £9,999 in compensation plus £455 costs.Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage (Andrew Milligan/PA) More

Union leaders have warned of a “massive backlash” if the prime minister attempts to water down the workers’ rights bill following his sweeping cabinet reshuffle. The removal of two ministers who were the architects of the bill – former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and ex-employment minister Justin Madders – prompted fears among unions of a shift to the right in Sir Keir Starmer’s government.One senior union figure described Sir Keir’s reshuffle as “a right-wing coup”, adding: “The employment rights package is a red line.“There will be a massive backlash if any attempt is made to water the bill down.”Downing Street moved to calm fears over the issue on Monday as the Labour Party teetered on the verge of civil war. A spokesperson said the legislation had the “absolute backing” of the government and Sir Keir would ensure that dozens of amendments put in by Tory and Lib Dem peers will be voted down.Sir Keir told Labour MPs during a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday evening: “Let me be crystal clear with you, all these commitments continue under this Labour government. The Employment Rights bill will continue with the same substance and timetable as before.” Starmer is under pressure following the resignation of Rayner and his cabinet reshuffle More