Gordon Brown on Peter Mandelson
TL;DR
Gordon Brown deeply regrets bringing Peter Mandelson into his government following revelations of leaks to Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Points
He asked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate the disclosure of confidential and market-sensitive information by Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein in June 2009.
He stated he was "shocked, sad, angry, betrayed, let down" by the alleged actions of his former Business Secretary.
He publicly stated he takes personal responsibility for appointing Mandelson to the ministerial role in 2008, calling it a regret.
Summary
Gordon Brown expressed profound regret over appointing Peter Mandelson to a ministerial role in 2008, describing the move as a mistake given subsequent revelations. He stated that the news of Mandelson passing highly sensitive, market-sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as Business Secretary caused him revulsion. Brown characterized this disclosure of confidential documents as a "betrayal of everything we stand for as a country," particularly as it risked the currency and opened the door to speculative trading during the global financial crisis. He took personal responsibility for the appointment, noting he was assured Mandelson's record in Brussels was unblemished and he was unaware of any links to the disgraced financier at the time.
The implication of Mandelson's actions has significantly colored Brown's later assessments of his former colleague, a relationship that had a history of fissure and required Brown to suppress old grievances for the perceived national interest. Brown's response has been active, publicly calling for a wider and more intensive inquiry to be conducted by the Cabinet Secretary into the "wholly unacceptable disclosure" of government papers. Furthermore, the former Prime Minister indicated that the current political leadership also made a mistake in their later association with Mandelson, implying a pattern of poor judgment from the peer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gordon Brown's current position on Peter Mandelson is one of strong condemnation and deep regret over his past appointment. He has publicly stated that Mandelson's alleged leaking of secrets to Jeffrey Epstein amounted to a betrayal of the country.
Brown claimed that at the time of appointing Mandelson in 2008, he was told that Mandelson's record as the EU Trade Commissioner was unblemished and he was unaware of any links to Epstein. However, he had previously asked for an inquiry into asset sale communications between the two in September of the prior year.
Gordon Brown described Mandelson's leaking of market-sensitive inside information as a betrayal of the principles he claimed to believe in. He also suggested that the current Labour leader made a mistake by appointing Mandelson as ambassador to the US more recently.
Sources6
Gordon Brown ‘deeply regrets’ bringing Peter Mandelson into his government
Gordon Brown says Mandelson 'betrayed his country' and put Britain at risk with Epstein emails
Gordon Brown deserved better than Peter Mandelson's treachery
Britain’s former PM turned PI: why is Gordon Brown delving so deep into the Epstein files?
Peter Mandelson’s Leaking of Secrets to Jeffrey Epstein Betrayed Gordon Brown, the Labour Party, and His Country
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.