Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how on Earth Mandelson can carry on and how the Prime Minister can back him?

64 replies

TowersofGable · 10/09/2025 22:48

Seriously, have you read the messages?

Anyone with any ounce of integrity would have resigned immediately. Instead we get the ghastly spectacle of him hanging on to see if it all blows over.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 10/09/2025 22:51

He can't possibly carry on. And Keir Stammer is looking weaker than ever. I can't see KS lasting till the next election.

Chocolateisameal · 10/09/2025 22:51

I’ve never underestimated the Mandelson love. It was a complete mystery in the Blair years and we were well rid of Mandelson when he finally was forced out.

Ive no idea why he was appointed as ambassador.

The only explanation for his apparent popularity is that he holds the dirt on a significant number of important people. His link to Epstein must make this even more likely.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/09/2025 22:52

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

LemondrizzleShark · 10/09/2025 22:53

Chocolateisameal · 10/09/2025 22:51

I’ve never underestimated the Mandelson love. It was a complete mystery in the Blair years and we were well rid of Mandelson when he finally was forced out.

Ive no idea why he was appointed as ambassador.

The only explanation for his apparent popularity is that he holds the dirt on a significant number of important people. His link to Epstein must make this even more likely.

I thought that was explicitly why he was made US ambassador? “Links” to important people rather than “dirt”, but same difference.

Createausername1970 · 10/09/2025 22:55

I can't stand mandelson, but at the time he wrote that stuff, was the other chap under any suspicion?

I don't think anyone, even people I don't like, should be held accountable for their relationships prior to them knowing that there were issues. It's how they behave afterwards that I am more interested in.

EverybodyLTB · 10/09/2025 22:56

Createausername1970 · 10/09/2025 22:55

I can't stand mandelson, but at the time he wrote that stuff, was the other chap under any suspicion?

I don't think anyone, even people I don't like, should be held accountable for their relationships prior to them knowing that there were issues. It's how they behave afterwards that I am more interested in.

He was imprisoned for procuring a child under 14 for prostitution - Mandy said words to the effect of ‘don’t worry, your friends all love you!’

Dangermoos · 10/09/2025 22:56

He's always given me the creeps.

Fairyliz · 10/09/2025 22:57

Genuine question, is there actually anyone in politics that is not actually dodgy and out for what they can get? If it’s not accepting freebies, fiddling the taxman, giving contracts to your mates, it’s associating with paedos.
No wonder the country is in a mess, it appears no one is actually working.

TheAutumnalCrow · 10/09/2025 22:59

Yes, the Telegraph articles that I read today made it pretty clear ‘it’ carried on, as in Mandelson tried to encourage Epstein post 2008 conviction to ‘fight on’ for early release.

www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/09/10/mandelson-epstein-early-release-emails-revealed/

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/09/2025 22:59

Createausername1970 · 10/09/2025 22:55

I can't stand mandelson, but at the time he wrote that stuff, was the other chap under any suspicion?

I don't think anyone, even people I don't like, should be held accountable for their relationships prior to them knowing that there were issues. It's how they behave afterwards that I am more interested in.

Yeah, that’s kind of the point. It was after he had been charged and Mandelson told him to ‘fight for early release’…..

Original poster
TowersofGable · 10/09/2025 23:02

Createausername1970 · 10/09/2025 22:55

I can't stand mandelson, but at the time he wrote that stuff, was the other chap under any suspicion?

I don't think anyone, even people I don't like, should be held accountable for their relationships prior to them knowing that there were issues. It's how they behave afterwards that I am more interested in.

He carried on writing gushing messages of support after he was convicted, never mind under suspicion!

OP posts:
TeenagersAngst · 10/09/2025 23:02

Mandelson’s a greasy fucker. Never understood the love some politicians have for him. He’s like Teflon too, having resigned from the Cabinet twice. I think Keir wishes he could be more like him.

ConstitutionHill · 10/09/2025 23:04

Something of the night.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/09/2025 23:04

Fairyliz · 10/09/2025 22:57

Genuine question, is there actually anyone in politics that is not actually dodgy and out for what they can get? If it’s not accepting freebies, fiddling the taxman, giving contracts to your mates, it’s associating with paedos.
No wonder the country is in a mess, it appears no one is actually working.

Good question - there was a thread the other day after the Rayner debacle asking if there are any politicians with any integrity whatsoever. And I think the answer is - yes, lots. We just don’t necessarily hear about them because they’re life long back benchers, in their constituencies, working hard, doing good for their electorate (crucially, whether they voted for them or not). They don’t seek higher office. Those that do, well, not so much. Groucho Marx, and membership of clubs, springs to mind.

Original poster
TowersofGable · 10/09/2025 23:04

Fairyliz · 10/09/2025 22:57

Genuine question, is there actually anyone in politics that is not actually dodgy and out for what they can get? If it’s not accepting freebies, fiddling the taxman, giving contracts to your mates, it’s associating with paedos.
No wonder the country is in a mess, it appears no one is actually working.

Yes, there are some.

I actually think Keir is in it for the right reasons. Unfortunately, he’s pretty useless and has no political instinct whatsoever.

OP posts:
Dangermoos · 10/09/2025 23:07

I'm told I should detest Starmer but I can't bring myself to. Agree on his lack of political instinct but there's less to find offence with than many other Labour MPs I could mention. I actually believe he's genuinely a man of principle, albeit a wet lettuce.

ScrollingLeaves · 10/09/2025 23:07

TowersofGable · 10/09/2025 22:48

Seriously, have you read the messages?

Anyone with any ounce of integrity would have resigned immediately. Instead we get the ghastly spectacle of him hanging on to see if it all blows over.

He may be the perfect man for the job of understanding and dealing with Trump.

Dangermoos · 10/09/2025 23:09

Starmer's certainly being tested, at the minute.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/09/2025 23:10

Oh, just watching ITV news and they have commented that ‘on reading the leaked messages, (after he had been charged), they are so grotesque, it is difficult to see how he can survive’.
Quite disgusting that he suggested, earlier, that the reason he might not have noticed Epstein’s crimes against women and girls and they might have passed him by because ‘he was gay, and only there with his partner’ .

Thegreyhound · 10/09/2025 23:10

TowersofGable · 10/09/2025 22:48

Seriously, have you read the messages?

Anyone with any ounce of integrity would have resigned immediately. Instead we get the ghastly spectacle of him hanging on to see if it all blows over.

Well quite!

Mandelson was already disgraced (twice) which should have prevented him being anywhere near government ever again.

Camera21 · 10/09/2025 23:11

He needs to go. He has his time. He’s been caught. It’s over.

Thegreyhound · 10/09/2025 23:12

Createausername1970 · 10/09/2025 22:55

I can't stand mandelson, but at the time he wrote that stuff, was the other chap under any suspicion?

I don't think anyone, even people I don't like, should be held accountable for their relationships prior to them knowing that there were issues. It's how they behave afterwards that I am more interested in.

Yes he wrote sycophantic and supportive messages to Epstein long after Epstein’s crimes were known

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/09/2025 23:13

I actually believe he's genuinely a man of principle

Well, sorry to paraphrase Groucho again, but,
yes he’s got principles, and don’t worry if you don’t like those, he’s got others….

Thegreyhound · 10/09/2025 23:20

As disgusting as the excusing Epstein’s sexual criminality is, I find the messages equally disturbing for what they tell us about how the world is run- all the schmoozing and fixing for the filthy rich behind the scenes to grease the path of money. All while Mandelson ‘was working day and night’ (in his own words) to stop the 2017 Labour manifesto from ever being enacted - to stop even the tiniest chance of any hope for the poorest

Thegreyhound · 10/09/2025 23:21

Dangermoos · 10/09/2025 23:07

I'm told I should detest Starmer but I can't bring myself to. Agree on his lack of political instinct but there's less to find offence with than many other Labour MPs I could mention. I actually believe he's genuinely a man of principle, albeit a wet lettuce.

He may have principles but not moral ones.