Scottish Secretary Thanks Mandelson for Support in Labour Selection
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander expressed gratitude to Peter Mandelson for his assistance during the selection process to become the Labour candidate for his constituency, according to newly-released government documents.
The UK government has published over 1,000 pages of documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States.
These documents include correspondence between Lord Mandelson and various ministers, which contain exchanges of advice, updates, and critiques concerning the operations at No 10, Labour MPs, and the Prime Minister.
Among the released files are records confirming that Alexander maintained regular contact with Mandelson prior to his appointment as ambassador to the US.
The documents reveal Alexander consulting Mandelson on political matters and seeking his guidance on policy issues.
In messages sent shortly after the 2024 general election, Alexander appears to attribute his return to Parliament as MP for Lothian East to Mandelson's support over several years.
Mandelson's Appointment and Subsequent Dismissal
Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson as ambassador in December 2024; however, Mandelson was dismissed nine months later following revelations about his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month, Alexander publicly stated that Mandelson "should not have been appointed." Nonetheless, after Mandelson's appointment in December 2024, Alexander sent a message describing it as "good news for you, for the government and for the country."
Political Strategy and Election Discussions
In June 2024, a week before the general election that resulted in Labour's victory, Alexander discussed the forthcoming vote in Scotland.
"We could be in the range of c20-32 seats depending on field ops and how they break," Alexander wrote. "There's v little enthusiasm for Labour but a quiet determination to secure change which is our greatest ally."
On 7 July 2024, three days after the election and following his appointment as Trade Minister, Alexander wrote to Mandelson:
"You probably don't realise quite how influential you've been in this whole improbable journey. From your initial encouragement two years ago this month 'Douglas you're going to have to become all Laboury again!' to your quiet and effective support when Gordon came out for [redacted] in the selection I won't forget any of it. And yes, of course I would value your counsel on trade. Hope we can speak soon. In gratitude and appreciation, Douglas."
It is not specified who "Gordon" refers to in the message, but former Prime Minister Gordon Brown publicly supported Alexander and Kirsty McNeill, who currently serves as junior Scotland Office minister, in the twinned selection contests for Lothian East and Midlothian.
Scottish Labour employs twinned selections to ensure gender balance among candidates.
A Scottish Labour source informed that Lothian East was considered the more winnable seat of the two and that Gordon Brown was keen for McNeill—who previously worked as a Downing Street adviser during his premiership—to succeed in the selection contest.
Reactions and Criticism Following Publication
Following Mandelson's appointment, he was also congratulated by then Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, who messaged him:
"Congratulations your excellency. What a wonderful appointment."
In response to the release of these files, SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan stated that the Labour party "has serious questions to answer about why it gave Jeffrey Epstein's friend such a powerful role in the UK government, and allowed the scandal-plagued peer to wield such influence, despite it being a matter of public record that he maintained his close friendship with the convicted paedophile and had repeatedly been forced to resign from office in the past."
The Scottish Greens commented that the documents "expose a rotten culture at the heart of Keir Starmer's Labour government" and asserted that the public deserves "full transparency."
Both Gordon Brown and Douglas Alexander have been approached for comment.
