14 h. ago Mandelson’s ‘singular talents’ justified appointment as ambassador, says minister

But ‘depth of relationship’ with Jeffrey Epstein was not known when peer was chosen, insists business secretary

Politics

15 h. ago Mandelson was ‘worth the risk’ as US ambassador, business secretary says

Peter Kyle says ‘singular talents’ of Mandelson were balanced against warnings over links with Jeffrey EpsteinPeter Mandelson had “singular talents” which meant his appointment as US ambassador had been “worth the risks” despite warnings in the vetting process over his links with Jeffrey Epstein, the business secretary has said.The dismissal of Mandelson as ambassador after new revelations about his close contact with the financier after he was convicted of child sex offences has caused fury in the Labour party about the slowness of Number 10’s response, as well as a major headache ahead of the US president Donald Trump’s arrival this week for a state visit. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Mandelson seen as ‘worth the risk’ as US ambassador, minister says

Peter Kyle says ‘singular talents’ of Mandelson were balanced against warnings over links with Jeffrey EpsteinPeter Mandelson had “singular talents” which meant his appointment as US ambassador had been seen as “worth the risks” despite warnings in the vetting process over his links with Jeffrey Epstein, the business secretary has said.The dismissal of Mandelson as ambassador after new revelations about his close contact with the financier after he was convicted of child sex offences has caused fury in the Labour party about the slowness of Number 10’s response, as well as a major headache ahead of the US president Donald Trump’s arrival this week for a state visit. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Peter Mandelson seen as ‘worth the risk’ as US ambassador, minister says

Peter Kyle says ‘singular talents’ of Mandelson were balanced against warnings over links with Jeffrey EpsteinPeter Mandelson had “singular talents” that meant his appointment as US ambassador had been seen as “worth the risks” despite warnings in the vetting process over his links with Jeffrey Epstein, the business secretary has said.The dismissal of Mandelson as ambassador following new revelations about his close contact with Epstein after the financier was convicted of child sex offences has caused fury in the Labour party about the slowness of No 10’s response, as well as a major headache before the US president Donald Trump’s arrival this week for a state visit. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Business Secretary pledges steel tariff announcement ‘as soon as possible’

MPs have called for the Government to maximise pressure on the US.

Economics

16 h. ago Mandelson deemed ‘worth the risk’ after checks, Cabinet minister says

The Labour grandee was sacked from his post on Thursday morning.

Politics

17 h. ago Mandelson appointment ‘worth the risk’ despite Epstein ties due to his ‘singular talent’, minister says

Business secretary Peter Kyle claimed that Lord Mandelson’s abilities meant the ‘political consideration’ outweighed the concerns about him

Politics

18 h. ago Starmer knew Peter Mandelson had a 'strong relationship' with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein but risked making him US ambassador anyway because of his 'talents', admits Cabinet minister

Peter Kyle said that Lord Mandelson's potential ability to handle President Trump meant it was 'worth the risk' of appointing him.

Politics

4 d. ago Voices: Starmer is risking becoming mired in sleaze as he backs Mandelson over ‘best pal’ Epstein

Amid all the fallout from the Epstein ‘Birthday Book’, could the revelation that the US ambassador helped the late paedophile broker a $1bn deal, when he was Labour’s business secretary, be the point of no return, asks Sean O’Grady

Events

4 d. ago Starmer urged to sack Mandelson amid Epstein business deal revelations

PM says he has confidence in ambassador when questioned in the Commons by Lib Dem and Tory leadersKeir Starmer has been urged to sack Peter Mandelson as the UK’s US ambassador after more details emerged of his close friendship and business dealings with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.The prime minister was pressed on whether he knew that Mandelson, when business secretary in 2010, had reportedly allowed Epstein to help broker the sale of a UK government-owned business to a US bank – months after the financier had been released from jail in relation to his conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago High caffeine energy drinks same as ‘necking four cans of Coke’ – Streeting

The Government has launched a 12-week consultation ahead of a ban on the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.

Politics

2 w. ago Business Secretary to meet JCB boss after concerns raised about US tariffs

JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald called on the UK Government to get a ‘deal done quickly’ after new American tariffs were implemented.

Economics

3 w. ago UK metals firms threaten to sue government over tariffs on steel imports from Asia

Companies send letter to business secretary complaining new rules were imposed with 24 hours’ noticeBusiness live – latest updatesUK metals companies have threatened to take legal action against the government over tariffs on raw steel imports from Asia which they claim have caused a “tsunami” of problems for the industry.Earlier this summer, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, reduced the amount of raw steel from Vietnam and South Korea that can be imported tariff-free in a move designed to protect UK raw steel makers, which face competition from cheap imports. Continue reading...

Politics