Cooper says Mandelson should never have been appointed
Speaking during a visit to Beijing, the British foreign secretary called the release of messages linked to Mandelson's appointment an "unedifying process", after the government published a second batch of documents running to more than 1,000 pages.
Yvette Cooper has said Peter Mandelson should “never have been appointed” ambassador to the United States, while sidestepping a direct question over whether Keir Starmer is a strong and effective leader.
Speaking during a visit to Beijing, the British foreign secretary called the release of messages linked to Mandelson’s appointment an “unedifying process”, after the government published a second batch of documents running to more than 1,000 pages.
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Among the disclosures were messages awkward for ministers, including for Mr Starmer, who was described by Mr Mandelson as “consistently going for direction B”.
Pressed on Mandelson’s characterisation of the prime minister’s approach as “advance/buckle/advance/buckle”, Ms Cooper told reporters in China: “What I would say is that Peter Mandelson should never have been appointed as ambassador to the United States, and look, of course there’s been a lot of transparency now about messages being released.
“We mustn’t forget two things, first is that in the end this whole thing started about Epstein’s abuse of young women and girls, and sometimes the conversation gets pulled away from that.
“And secondly, I think the whole government is getting on with the most important issues that affect our country and that’s exactly why I’m here in China having these important discussions about international security.”
Yvette Cooper (file pic)
Ms Cooper also avoided answering when asked if she would call the prime minister a strong and effective leader.
Instead, she said: “I’m in China pursuing issues around international security which follows on from the prime minister’s visit here to China with President Xi earlier this year.”
Mr Starmer dismissed Peter Mandelson in September 2025 after pressure intensified over leaked emails showing Mr Mandelson had sent supportive messages while Jeffrey Epstein was facing jail for sex offences.
Earlier this year, MPs voted to compel the release of documents connected to his period as ambassador.
