Keir Starmer Told Peter Mandelson 'You'll Be Brilliant' Before He Became US Ambassador

Keir Starmer told Peter Mandelson he would “be brilliant” before it was announced he was to become the UK’s new ambassador to Washington, it has emerged.

The prime minister also told of his excitement at finally being able to “work together side by side” with the then Labour peer.

The embarrassing text message was revealed by The Spectator as Starmer’s premiership comes under fresh pressure over his decision to appoint Mandelson to the plum diplomatic role in December 2024.

Mandelson only lasted six months in the post before being sacked over his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Earlier this year he was suspended by Labour and resigned from the House of Lords over allegations he passed secret government information to the billionaire financier during the global financial crash in 2008.

The Mandelson scandal erupted again last week when it emerged that government officials had recommended he not be given security clearance to take up his ambassador role.

Starmer then sacked Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top civil servant, for not informing him of those security concerns before he approved Mandelson for so-called “developed vetting” status.

According to The Spectator, Starmer sent the peer a gushing text message the night before his appointment was announced.

It said: “You’ll be brilliant in challenging circumstances. And after many years of our discussions, we get to work together side by side.”

The revelation is a further embarrassment for the PM, who has since admitted it was a mistake to appoint Mandelson to the role.

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