Darren Jones has confirmed that the first group of Mandelson files will be released after PMQs today, at which time the ‘Chief Secretary to the PM’ will give a statement to the Commons. Starmer will be out of there…
The documents are expected to include the vetting advice on Mandelson’s appointment. Jones told Sky News a second group should come out within weeks:
“So the first tranche will be published this afternoon. A second tranche, they will come later because there’s been further work that we’ve had to across government in response to the Humble Address, which is not quite ready. And we have two other processes that take a bit of time, given the live criminal investigation with the Metropolitan Police and the role of the Intelligence and Security Committee in Parliament that has some oversight of it.
The second tranche, I mean, it’s probably in the weeks, but we’re trying to get through it as quickly as possible. It just needs those approvals from the committee and from the Met Police before we can then come back to Parliament with them.”
Responding to the convenient timing of the release for Starmer, Jones – who hid from the Commons when the first Humble Address was debated – said “it’s just normal scheduling” and that “we have committed to Mr Speaker that they will be published very promptly so that members get the chance to read them before I stand up so that they can ask me any questions about them.“ Give yourself a pat on the back…
Mandelson is no longer on police bail. The Met:
“A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released under investigation. The investigation remains ongoing.”
That means they don’t think he’s a flight risk any more since arresting him after a tip off from Hoyle on Monday. There is no fixed date for his return to the police station…
Downing Street has denied having received a written report from Blue Labour’s Lord Glasman warning against Mandelson’s appointment. Back in September as the Mandelson scandal was kicking off, Politics Home reported:
“It is understood that after visiting the US and meeting people around Trump who raised concerns about Mandelson’s appointment, Glasman sent a memo to No 10 warning about the appointment
…’The brutal truth is that the vast majority of people I met… consider our Labour government to be a front organisation for paedophiles and Pakistani rape gangs.'”
Glasman additionally told Sky News in February:
“They asked me to send a report and I sent a report… I did say when I got back, I would think again about this publicly…. Then I did get a discreet suggestion to basically shut up about that, and I did.”
Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty last month asked the Cabinet Office:
“On what date did his Department receive a written report from Lord Glassman regarding the nature of the relationship between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein.”
The reply yesterday, from Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas Symonds:
“There is no record of receipt of Lord Glasman’s report in the Prime Minister’s Office.”
Some wires are crossed here…
Starmer has suggested that ousted No10 Chief of Staff (and creator of the Starmer project) Morgan McSweeney could return to government in future. Will be news to some…
At McSweeney’s leaving drinks in the Walkers of Whitehall pub Starmer lathered on the praise, calling Morgan one of the best political strategists in the world and praising his “plan, strategy and foresight.” Not enough foresight to see the Mandelson-shaped boulder hurtling down the mountain towards his office…
Guido hears Starmer spoke about the need for the “journey” to continue and added to Morgan: “we will need you again.” Sources tell Guido that McSweeney has been working out what he wants to do since leaving No10, speaking to journalists and so on. No shields left for Starmer…
Watching hacks tried a few questions on Mandelson, now out on bail, as he left his home and entered a waiting black cab. No dice…
Speaking to Sky News off the back of Rachel Reeves’ Air Passenger Duty hike, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said:
“Labour is dependent on those Red Wall seats, and yet every move she makes poisons economic growth and damages the UK’s recovery… it’s the Chancellor who stumbles from policy misstep to policy misstep… I think her policy decisions are incredibly stupid.”