The Cabinet Office and Scotland Yard warned ministers not to publish messages with Peter Mandelson. The warning comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting released his own communications with the Labour grandee over the weekend.
The intervention aims to protect an ongoing police investigation into alleged misconduct in a public office by Lord Mandelson. Scotland Yard emphasized that "vital due process is followed" to avoid compromising the probe or any future prosecution.
The Cabinet Office sent a message to government members on Monday night. It warned against releasing material covered by a recent parliamentary motion demanding documents related to Lord Mandelson's diplomatic posting to Washington last year.
Streeting's controversial disclosure
Wes Streeting shared transcripts of his messages with Lord Mandelson on Sky News' Electoral Dysfunction podcast. The Health Secretary said he acted to counter "smear and innuendo" suggesting he had something to hide.
The messages included exchanges where Mandelson described Labour's economic plans as having "no growth strategy" and warned the party would be "toast". Some in Westminster see Streeting as a protege of Lord Mandelson, a connection viewed as potentially problematic for his leadership ambitions.
Police investigation and document review
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson made clear the complexity ahead. "As part of our inquiries, we will review material identified and provided to us by the Cabinet Office to assess whether publication is likely to have a detrimental impact on our investigation or any subsequent prosecution," the spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The police will work with the Cabinet Office to review relevant documents over the coming weeks. "This investigation may be complex but we are focused on a timely and thorough process so that justice is served in this case, or future ones linked to the Epstein files," the spokesperson added.
The investigation focuses on accusations that Lord Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson served as business secretary following the 2008 financial crisis.
Parliamentary oversight and political fallout
The government ceded control over which files are released publicly to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee. Lord Beamish, the committee chairman, stated the ISC would not "do anything which would undermine" the police investigation.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned on Friday that a "very significant volume of material" in the high tens of thousands would need to be reviewed. He believes the files will prove Lord Mandelson lied about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein during vetting for his diplomatic posting.
The Prime Minister has apologized for appointing Lord Mandelson but vowed to stay in office, citing "my mandate and my responsibility to my country". Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is among those calling for the PM's resignation.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).