On Wednesday The British government released documents related to the vetting of Peter Mandelson ahead of his appointment as ambassador to the United States last year and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain agreed last month to release the documents under pressure from political opponents and members of his own Labour Party. They demanded to know how much he knew about the friendship between Mr. Mandelson and Mr. Epstein when he made the appointment.
Questions about Mr. Starmer’s judgment in choosing Mr. Mandelson, a longtime Labour Party operative, for the diplomatic post delivered a blow to the prime minister’s standing last month. Mr. Starmer is struggling with dismal approval ratings because of a lagging economy and concerns about critical parts of his policy agenda.