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Private messages in the Mandelson files reveal senior Labour figures feared Keir Starmer fatally weakened his authority after backing down on welfare cuts.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AP)
The latest disclosures from the so-called ‘Mandelson files’ have intensified the political crisis around British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with newly released private messages suggesting senior Labour figures believed he fatally weakened his own authority by backing down on welfare reforms under pressure from his MPs.
According to a report with iPaper, senior minister Pat McFadden privately warned that retreating on planned welfare cuts would “destroy” Starmer’s authority as a rebellion brewed within the ruling Labour Party.
The disclosures emerged from more than 1,500 pages of government documents released this week concerning the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
The files include emails, handwritten notes and WhatsApp conversations involving senior Labour figures.
The release was part of an effort by the British government to comply with demands from lawmakers amid continuing scrutiny over Mandelson’s ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and the political fallout surrounding his appointment.
WELFARE U-TURN ‘DESTROYED’ STARMER’S AUTHORITY
The iPaper reported that McFadden, now serving as Work and Pensions Secretary, exchanged messages with Mandelson on June 24 as a major Labour revolt gathered pace over planned cuts to sickness and disability benefits.
More than 100 Labour MPs were reportedly threatening to rebel against the government.
McFadden described the situation as “very bad,” saying rebel MPs were “not moving” despite efforts by Cabinet ministers to persuade them.
He added that Starmer was “meeting the ringleaders today,” before warning, “Defeat, pull [the] bill or gut it all, destroy his authority.”
Mandelson replied, “Yes I am afraid so.”
The following day, Starmer’s government watered down key welfare reforms, abandoning proposed cuts to the personal independence payment (PIP) and the sickness component of universal credit.
The reversal reportedly cost the government billions of pounds and dealt a major blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s spending plans.
The iPaper said the retreat was widely viewed inside Labour as the moment Starmer’s leadership began to unravel.
McFadden also reportedly vented frustration at Labour MPs opposed to the welfare changes.
In an earlier exchange cited by the report, he complained that “every meeting I have is, ‘Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others.’”
MANDELSON FILES DEEPEN POLITICAL DAMAGE
The newly released records have widened concerns about Starmer’s leadership style and political judgment. Reuters reported that the documents showed Mandelson and senior Labour insiders repeatedly criticising the prime minister behind closed doors, even while publicly backing him.
In one exchange highlighted by Reuters, Mandelson told McFadden that Starmer was “not leading from the front.”
McFadden responded by saying the government was “asking the wrong questions.”
The iPaper also reported that Mandelson mocked Downing Street’s communications operation, saying the “comms leadership is shit” and accusing the government of repeatedly advancing policies only to buckle under pressure.
He allegedly described Starmer’s leadership pattern as “advance/buckle/advance/buckle.”
Further exchanges suggested wider unease within Labour ranks.
According to the iPaper, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell privately complained that the government had become “messy” because ministers failed to properly grip policy development.
APPOINTMENT OF MANDELSON UNDER SCRUTINY
The document dump centred on Mandelson’s controversial appointment as ambassador to Washington despite concerns over his past links to Epstein and questions raised during his security vetting process.
AP reported that Mandelson had assured then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy in 2024 that the government would “never regret” appointing him.
However, Starmer later dismissed Mandelson after renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein triggered a major political storm.
Reuters said the British government hopes the release of the files will help draw a line under the controversy, though critics argue the disclosures have instead reinforced questions about Starmer’s judgment and authority.
The fallout comes as Starmer faces growing internal pressure following Labour’s setbacks in local elections and increasing speculation about possible leadership bids from figures including Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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