Mandelson latest: Second tranche of papers to be released today will include messages between Labour peer and ministers

Mandelson latest: Second tranche of papers to be released today will include messages between Labour peer and ministers Text messages between the Labour peer and Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney are said to be included - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The second tranche of documents relating to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador are set to be published today. The files, which are said to be in the hundreds, will be the second largest publication to the House of Commons in history, and will reportedly include text messages between the Labour peer and cabinet ministers. MPs voted in February to demand ministers publish a wide range of documents relating to the appointment using an archaic parliamentary procedure known as a “humble address”. The vote followed the launch of a police investigation into Lord Mandelson and concerns about the vetting process involved in his appointment. A first tranche of documents, released in March, showed Sir Keir Starmer was warned of a “general reputational risk” because of Lord Mandelson’s connection to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The second set of documents are said to contain messages between the peer and government advisers, including the prime minister’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Reports suggest it will not include his UK Security Vetting (UKSV) summary after the Metropolitan Police asked the government to withhold the document to avoid jeopardising its investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by the peer. Tories accuse Labour of 'cover-up' over document redactions Last month, the committee raised concerns that the Government was applying redactions “too broadly”, and cited the UKSV vetting file as an example of documents being withheld without Parliament granting ministers the “authority” to do so. The Conservatives have accused the Government of seeking to perpetrate a “cover-up”, with shadow minister Alex Burghart writing to the chief secretary to the Prime Minister on Sunday to demand “full transparency”. Mr Burghart said: “I will remind you that the House did not provide the Government with the choice about redactions beyond the narrow scope in the humble address. “This behaviour will be viewed by the House as a contempt of Parliament, and as a cover-up by the British public. “Even if the Prime Minister leaves office in a few weeks, I can assure you we will hold you to account for this.” Mandelson's vetting summary document not to be included Reports suggest the documents will not include Lord Mandelson’s UK Security Vetting (UKSV) summary after the Metropolitan Police asked the Government to withhold the document to avoid jeopardising its investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by the peer. UKSV recommended against granting Lord Mandelson security clearance, but top Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins overruled that advice. Sir Olly was effectively sacked in April after it emerged he had overruled the advice, with the Prime Minister insisting he was unaware of UKSV’s recommendation. The Government has said it has only withheld documents where requested by the police, and all other documents will be published. Several documents have also been redacted, either to remove personal details such as the names of junior officials, or on national security grounds. Second tranche of documents to be published Hundreds of documents relating to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US are expected to be published this week. The release, said to be the second largest publication to the House of Commons in history, is the second tranche of documents on the peer’s appointment. MPs voted in February to demand ministers publish a wide range of documents relating to the appointment using an archaic parliamentary procedure known as a “humble address”. The vote followed the launch of a police investigation into Lord Mandelson and concerns about the vetting process involved in his appointment. A first tranche of documents, released in March, showed Sir Keir Starmer was warned of a “general reputational risk” because of Lord Mandelson’s connection to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The second set of documents is expected to include messages between Lord Mandelson and ministers and Government advisers, including Sir Keir’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments