I am appalled by the recent revelations about Peter Mandelson’s behaviour and my thoughts are with the women and girls who suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein.
In September last year, the Government sacked Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States of America after the publication of undisclosed emails he had exchanged with Epstein. In January this year, further disclosures have revealed the full scale of Mandelson’s links to Epstein, stretching back over two decades.
I think it is right that documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador are published with the maximum possible transparency. the House of Commons voted to do this unanimously on 4 February. The Government is now working at speed to identify all the material that needs to be released.
The motion included a provision that “papers prejudicial to UK national security or international relations” will first be referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC). The ISC will then decide if that material can be released, and if redactions may be necessary. I think this is sensible and strikes a good balance. The ISC is both cross-party and independent of the Government, I therefore have confidence that it will act with complete integrity as it examines these documents.
More widely, the police have now launched an investigation into a potential case of misconduct in public office when Mandelson was Business Secretary from 2008 to 2010.
I want to see action taken to reform our politics. For example, safeguards against corruption need to be strengthened. The Government is determined to do this. New legislation will soon be published to enable the removal of titles from individuals who have broken the law or brought the House of Lords into disrepute. I understand further restrictions on MPs taking second jobs are also being prepared. This is all important to restore trust in politics. Alongside this, I believe there also needs to be much broader consideration of lobbying and the transparency of our politics to rebuild trust in politics. I can confirm the Government is examining reforms in these areas as well.
Thank you once again to those constituents who have contacted me about this important issue.
Best wishes
Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland