the Mandelson files…
No one said they had to be good. They just said they had to be out there.
these are my notes from reading the first tranche of the Mandelson files.
They said its 144 pages, its really not. Its easily readable in one sitting.
And I take detailed notes, most of it is benign.
So here it is.
The Mandelson files
It’s giving… “Bribery” how did Mandelson get shortlisted???
11th November 2024.
Simon Case
Gave 2 options
one was the diplomatic route. Hiring a diplomat.
The second was hiring a political appointment. Stating
“ If this is the route that you wish to take you should give us the name of the person
you would like to appoint and we will develop a plan for them to acquire the
necessary security clearances and do due diligence on any potential Conflicts of
Interest or other issues of which you should be aware before confirming your choice.”
11th December 2024.
Mandelson is the lead candidate.
4th December 2024 CV
A 20% share of the company was sold to the Messina Group in April 2024
valuing the company at £30mn. Jim Messina is a former Obama aide who
also advised the Remain campaign, David Cameron and Theresa May.
Messina Group clients include Uber, Google, AirBnb and Amazon Pharmacy.
This should have disqualified him. He would be seen as friendly to the Obamas. They were praying Trump wouldn’t notice
Global Counsel is currently under investigation by the Registrar of
Consultant Lobbyists for failing to disclose the Qatari Free Zones Authority
as a client.
● To note - the retained role and interest in Global Counsel would have to
cease if appointed HMA, while the live ORCL investigation is a
reputational risk.
Also-why???
His resignations were also mentioned…
To note - general reputational risk around previous departures from the
New Labour Government, both relating to financial matters, including
high-profile donors to government.
When appointing. They needed to get agreement from the king. What did the king know? Did the constitutional monarch advise Mandelson was a bad idea?
When they recommended him to the king they neglected to mention” the prince of darkness” title or “the dark lord” as he is now. Wasn’t mentioned anywhere
Talks about his podcasts, writes for the times, his government positions are “successful”
I think Starmer is relying too heavily on the disclosure form from the foreign office which states
I understand it is my responsibility to disclose any changes to my interests which would make this declaration inaccurate or incomplete.
He did 7 months in his post. He passed his probation
7 months and 9 days
Then in his welcome pack and his contract he was given £157k then £5k allowance
Plus Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) at £8k
Daily Subsistence Allowance £18k
The 11th September Alisa’s email
Further reports of Lord Mandelsons links with Epstein…
Concerns about the judgements and views expressed.
And what Mandelson said to Olly Robbins.
On this basis that he was asking Mandelson to resign
Prime minister concern for women and girls…
Mandelson has “no choice” but to accept the prime minister’s decision.
“The Department will not publish the detail of this payment. For information, we do disclose exit payments values and numbers in the Staff Report in our accounts in banded groupings by amount but do not disclose the names of individuals. Last year there were 57 payments in the £50-100,000 band”
Given that Lord Mandelson remains employed by the Department on full pay, but is not redeployable, I would be grateful for your urgent consideration of this Business Case (8th October he was asked to resign as of 11th September)
On the severance payment there’s an official document.
Lessons learnt from this case
The FCDO does not have anything further to add with regards to lessons learnt. Given the circumstances of the individual’s appointment, the PUS has advised the Foreign Secretary of improvements he would recommend to the process of making direct ministerial appointments
Actual last date was 8th October.