More than 1,500 pages from a second release on Lord Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US were published, but they still do not show crucial messages, vetting records or his full answers on Jeffrey Epstein.
Missing material includes data from Mandelson’s personal phone, which he declined to hand over, while messages from former Starmer chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and minister Nick Thomas-Symonds were also lost after their phones were reported stolen.
The papers also omit the nine-page summary and form behind UK Security Vetting’s reported recommendation against clearance, even though the Foreign Office ultimately approved Mandelson for the post.
Some answers about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein were withheld because police are investigating alleged misconduct in public office; Mandelson denies wrongdoing and says he answered vetting questions accurately.
The release was ordered after MPs voted in February for disclosure over his appointment, but redactions and missing records still leave unresolved why he was appointed and what he meant by saying he was “very worried” about Chagos.