Mandelson-Starmer latest: Claims Rayner warned PM over peer’s Epstein links after police search his homes
Watch: Mandelson ‘portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew,’ says StarmerMandelson ‘portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew,’ says StarmerNicole Wootton-Cane7 February 2026 04:00Will Starmer resign over Mandelson-Epstein scandal and who could replace him?Sir Keit Starmer is under growing pressure to resign after he appointed Lord Peter Mandelson to the role of US ambassador.Lord Mandelson has been accused of leaking sensitive government documents to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time in government in 2008.But will the prime minister resign - and if so, who could replace him?The Independent’s political corespondent Athena Stavrou takes a look below:Nicole Wootton-Cane7 February 2026 03:00Who is Peter Mandelson and what do we know about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein?Lord Peter Mandelson has been at the centre of a political storm this week after newly released emails suggested he leaked confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein.But who is the peer, and what do we know about his relationship with Epstein?Nicole Wootton-Cane7 February 2026 02:00In pictures: Police search Mandelson-linked propertiesPolice arrived at Peter Mandelson’s Camden home on Friday afternoon (Reuters)Police were seen carrying boxes out of Mandelson’s Camden home (Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)Police at the home of Lord Peter Mandelson in Wiltshire (Rod Minchin/PA) (PA Wire)Nicole Wootton-Cane7 February 2026 01:00Ministers will be asked to hand over messages to MandelsonSenior government figures will have to hand over their messages with Peter Mandelson ahead of the release of files related to the prime minister’s decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.Parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC) informed the prime minister on Friday it would require all “electronic communications and minutes of all meetings” between Mandelson and ministers, government officials and special advisers during his time as US ambassador to be handed over.The Independent’s political correspondent Athena Stavrou has more below:Nicole Wootton-Cane7 February 2026 00:00Explained: How easy would it be for Labour MPs to force Starmer out?Nicole Wootton-Cane6 February 2026 23:00Watch: Police searching two properties linked to Peter MandelsonPolice searching two properties linked to Peter MandelsonNicole Wootton-Cane6 February 2026 22:30Rayner warned Starmer not to appoint Mandelson, according to reportsAngela Rayner warned Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been reported.Sources told The Times on Friday Ms Rayner had privately warned the prime minister that appointing Lord Mandelson would be a mistake because of evidence of his continued relationship to Epstein after his conviction for sex offences.The former deputy prime minister publicly applied pressure on Sir Keir this week after she called for him to release the vetting documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment. Angela Rayner led calls from Labour MPs that forced the Prime Minister to climb down (PA) (PA Archive)Nicole Wootton-Cane6 February 2026 22:01UK will 'turn corner faster' if government backs Starmer, minister saysBritain will "turn the corner" faster if the government backs Sir Keir Starmer, a minister has said.Asked whether the prime minister had become a "drag" on the Labour Party, Home Office minister Mike Tapp told Sky News: "We're starting to turn the corner."I believe if we stick with Keir Starmer, which we will, then that corner will turn faster and people will start to feel it."But I completely understand the anger and the distress at what's happened with Peter Mandelson's appointment. I completely agree with that, and that's why I'm really pleased to see a genuine, genuine apology from Keir Starmer."He added that Sir Keir had "clearly" been lied to during Lord Mandelson's vetting process, saying: "I trust that, I trust Keir Starmer."Let's see what comes out from the documents. I think transparency is vital and that's what we're getting from this government."Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 February 2026 22:00Police carry boxes out of Mandelson's Camden homePolice have left Lord Mandelson’s property in London carrying several boxes.Seven officers exited the front door of the house in Camden at about 8.23pm, one carrying a white cardboard box and another with a blue plastic one.Reporters’ cameras flashed as they drove away in cars that had been parked outside the building.Earlier, officers were seen searching a car parked outside the address.Plain-clothed officers wearing blue medical gloves used torches to search the Range Rover.They left his Camden property shortly before 8.15pm and spent around three minutes looking inside the vehicle before returning to the house.Nicole Wootton-Cane6 February 2026 21:37
