Brown backs PM but says leadership crisis is ‘serious’ in wake of Mandelson row

Brown backs PM but says leadership crisis is ‘serious’ in wake of Mandelson row

ITV News

Sat, February 7, 2026 at 4:07 PM UTC

5 min read

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An investigation into allegations Lord Mandelson leaked sensitive government financial information to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein will require 'a significant amount' of further evidence gathering, the Met Police said. ITV News' Jay Akbar reports

Gordon Brown has said the situation facing Sir Keir Starmer's leadership is "serious", but added that the prime minister was a "man of integrity" who was "misled and betrayed" by Lord Mandelson.

Starmer faces increasing pressure after he admitted Lord Mandelson's ongoing relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was known before he was appointed as US ambassador.

Lord Mandelson is under investigation following allegations that he sent market-sensitive information to the paedophile financier while he was business secretary during the financial crisis.

Asked if Starmer was the right man to take the country forward, Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “I can look in his eyes and I can see that he is a man of integrity. He wants to do the right things.

“Perhaps he’s been too slow to do the right things, but he must do the right things now, and let’s judge what he does, on what happens in the next few months when he tries to, and I believe (he) will try, to clean up the system.”

He suggested there should be US-style confirmation hearings for new government ministers and senior appointments.

On Wednesday, Starmer told MPs that Lord Mandelson had "repeatedly lied" during the vetting process.

Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson in 2010.<span> Credit: PA</span> — Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson in 2010. Credit: PA

However, Brown said that the alleged lies told by Lord Mandelson during his appointment process as US ambassador were “not sufficient explanation for what happened”.

“There is a systemic failure to do proper vetting, to go through the proper procedures and to actually have, in my view, what should be public hearings for anybody who is going to be in a senior position representing the British government.”

Brown said he regretted giving Lord Mandelson his peerage and bringing him back into the government in 2008, adding that he felt “shocked, sad, angry betrayed, let down” when he saw the Epstein messages released by the US Department of Justice.

Responding to Gordon Brown's comments, a Government spokesperson said: “Most people who enter public life do so with a strong sense of duty and to make a difference to people’s lives.

“But the shameful and disgraceful behaviour revealed this week is wholly incompatible with public service, and it is right that no one is above accountability.

“We have already strengthened the Ministerial Code, giving the independent adviser greater powers to launch investigations, introduced a new monthly register of gifts and hospitality, established a new ethics commission, and ensured that ministers who break the rules cannot receive severance payments.

“But Gordon Brown is right that further action is needed in light of what has emerged this week – and we have already begun urgent work on how we can do more.”

Police confirmed searches at properties relating to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office have concluded.<span> Credit: PA</span> — Police confirmed searches at properties relating to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office have concluded. Credit: PA

It comes as the Metropolitan Police said the investigation into Lord Mandelson's alleged misconduct in public office is "complex" and will require a "significant amount of further evidence gathering".

On Saturday, the Met confirmed it had concluded its searches of two properties - one in Wiltshire and one in Camden, north-west London – in relation to its investigation.

In a statement, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart said: “The searches were related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.

“He has not been arrested and inquiries are ongoing.

“This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis.

“It will take some time to do this work comprehensively and we will not be providing a running commentary."

ITV News has attempted to contact Mandelson multiple times in relation to the allegations against him but has not received a response.

However, he has previously said he has "no recollection" of receiving the sums of money mentioned and said he does "not know if the documents are authentic".

He has insisted that Epstein’s money did not influence his actions in government.

Police search two addresses linked to Peter Mandelson

Has the Mandelson scandal fatally damaged Keir Starmer's premiership?

Pressure from within Labour ranks have continued to mount on Starmer, with left-winger Kim Johnson saying his position is “irredeemable”.

She told Times Radio: “I’m sorry, I must have to say that I think his position at this moment in time is irredeemable. I’m sad to say.”

Starmer’s former deputy Angela Rayner, who left Government last year after a row over her underpayment of stamp duty on a new property, is widely viewed as a potential successor to Sir Keir.

The Times reported that Rayner had told friends she warned Starmer not to appoint Lord Mandelson as ambassador because of his links to Epstein, though she is said to not want to be the one who launches a challenge against the Prime Minister.

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Elsewhere, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called on Starmer to quit, claiming the Mandelson scandal “erodes trust in politics”.

Polanski said the prime minister “needs to go” after showing a “catastrophic level of misjudgment” by making Lord Mandelson the ambassador to the US.

“I think we already know that people deeply mistrust the political system and, actually, I just think it reflects on everyone really badly," he told the Press Association.

“I do think Keir Starmer needs to go though."

The Liberal Democrats called on the Financial Conduct Authority to launch an investigation into Lord Mandelson.

In a letter to the City watchdog Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “It is crucial that Mandelson is investigated to see if he or those he leaked information to profited from access to this market sensitive and confidential material.

“He and others must face criminal prosecution if they are found to have abused trading laws for financial benefit.”

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