Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said that the public will want to “question” the vetting process that allowed Lord Mandelson to become the US ambassador
Burnham said it was “the right decision” to sack the Labour peer from his ambassadorial role.
But he told BBC Radio Manchester: “I wasn’t privy to the vetting process, so I don’t know what was known at the time, and I think people will want to then question that now in the hours and days ahead.”
Mr Burnham added: “It is hard to see how he could carry on, given what had come to light. So this sounds like the right decision.
Lord Mandelson was sacked as Britain’s ambassador to the US less than 24 hours after the Prime Minister said he had full confidence in him
In a statement released this morning, the Foreign Office said:
In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as Ambassador. The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. In particular Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect.
Bloomberg’s investigative team obtained more than 100 emails between the ambassador and Epstein and published several of them overnight many of which contain humiliating extra details and cryptic bits that raise more questions
Leaked emails showed Lord Mandelson urging Jeffrey Epstein fight for early release following his conviction in Florida
