{"id":19413,"date":"2026-02-06T17:06:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T17:06:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=19413"},"modified":"2026-02-06T17:06:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T17:06:03","slug":"police-search-properties-related-to-peter-mandelson-investigation-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=19413","title":{"rendered":"Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation &#8211; UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Police carry out search warrants in relation over Mandelson reports<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Police have carried out <strong>search warrants<\/strong> in relation to their investigation into <strong>misconduct in public office<\/strong>, they said on Friday, following reports about the conduct of former UK ambassador to the US <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The police said they were carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area and another in the Camden, north London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The police added that they had not arrested the man involved in the investigation, who they said was a 72-year-old.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69860b608f087d841849d899&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69860b608f087d841849d899&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69860b608f087d841849d899#block-69860b608f087d841849d899\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69860ef08f08465128687419&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Police have confirmed that the searches carried out in Wiltshire and Camden are in relation to its investigation into &lt;strong&gt;misconduct in public office&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d14990a7-8743-4a60-a48b-589cf1b6d0a1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;PA reports two people believed to be police officers arrived outside a house near Regent\u2019s Park in central London on Friday afternoon.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6fc00e73-4916-4e85-a97f-1d8d3afc186f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;One of them appeared to be wearing a small body camera. They knocked on the door and entered the house.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a7a5256d-4cd6-4eee-8613-947d93660ec8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Deputy assistant commissioner Hayley Sewart&lt;\/strong&gt;, of the Metropolitan Police, said in a statement:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ad3eeb3e-2569-42ee-8e44-56d1ff05ed56&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I can confirm that officers from the Met\u2019s central specialist crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;He has not been arrested and enquiries are 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people believed to be Police Officers arrive at a property in London.&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Two people believed to be Police Officers arrive at a property in London.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Brook Mitchell\/Getty Images&quot;}}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770393328000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;15.55\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770394204000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;16.10\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770393511000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;15.58\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;15.58&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Police say 72-year-old has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 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reports&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985fd4d8f08f529bdb86ab9&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The total number of government documents related to Peter Mandelson\u2019s appointment as US ambassador could be close to 100,000, &lt;\/strong&gt;the BBC reported&lt;strong&gt; &lt;\/strong&gt;without citing a source for the information.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;eafcd4ef-f44b-41cb-8d62-8df2857fb0aa&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) wrote to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/keir-starmer\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/a&gt; yesterday to set out its expectations ahead of the release of the Mandelson documents.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;27c05df5-eb3b-4192-97e0-aac0ada6840c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In a communication from Lord Beamish and Jeremy Wright, the committee said it is up to the government to decide which of the documents, relating to the ambassadorial appointment, should not be published.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0aaca330-7614-4154-9d8a-2fd565289f93&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770388813000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;14.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770390488000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;15.08\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770389126000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;14.45\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;14.45&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Number of Mandelson documents could be close to 100,000 - report&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985e4798f08f529bdb86923&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A former No 10 aide has quit as chief executive of the influential lobbying firm he co-founded with &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt; following revelations from the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\\&quot;&gt;Jeffrey Epstein&lt;\/a&gt; files.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ffd410be-8a2d-42b5-9a0e-c2c0361edad3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ben Wegg-Prosser&lt;\/strong&gt; stepped down on Friday as the head of Global Counsel after emails revealed the extent to which he and Mandselson had involved the convicted child sex offender when they were setting up the company in 2010.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ad26bfba-03f5-4b7c-885b-5c49b0f76460&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The fallout from the release of the files in the US has triggered a crisis at Global Counsel, which has had close ties to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; and lobbied the government on behalf of clients including the controversial tech firm and government contractor Palantir.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;497a5f04-fbd4-4465-b28f-0594b1aecf97&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The departure of Wegg-Prosser, formerly Tony Blair\u2019s director of strategic communications at No 10, was communicated to clients on Friday by the firm as it fought to stave off damage from the scandal. One major client, Barclays, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/05\/barclays-vodafone-lobbying-firm-global-counsel-peter-mandelson\\&quot;&gt;had already cut ties.&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e26cee36-c1e6-4db9-acec-409102e5baee&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The companay also told clients on Friday that it had reached an agreement for the divestment of Mandelson\u2019s shares in the company and that the transaction would be completed later in the day subject to approvals. The peer left the company\u2019s board two years ago when a company owned by the former Barack Obama adviser Jim Messina invested in it, but retained shares.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4ce4b32c-268a-4452-9023-149298cafa5f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cThe completion of this transaction will bring to an end any connection between Global Counsel and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/peter-mandelson\\&quot;&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/a&gt;,\u201d said chair Archie Norman.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e4f1e437-e0ce-4dc8-b2b1-93dcd39ade71&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Boss of lobbying firm founded with Peter Mandelson quits after Epstein revelations&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;79f68464-ea09-46fb-99ed-a9cbafe274fb&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/06\/ben-wegg-prosser-boss-lobbying-firm-peter-mandelson-quits-jeffrey-epstein-revelations&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770382457000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.54\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770382534000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.55\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770382534000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.55\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;12.55&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Boss of lobbying firm founded with Mandelson quits after Epstein revelations&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Ben Quinn&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2019\/11\/14\/Ben_Quinn.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d7db834a96f161acdbfd6547d3606faa&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2019\/11\/14\/Ben_Quinn.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=297a1d09bee05d7004e7a46737ffc547&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985c9258f08f529bdb8674f&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Meanwhile, the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; MP &lt;strong&gt;Ian Byrne&lt;\/strong&gt; said \u201cthe red flags were there\u201d at the time of &lt;strong&gt;Mandelson\u2019s&lt;\/strong&gt; appointment, saying \u201cit was well-known what he was\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cb50b5d5-c8da-49d3-9a9b-88c1700539cf&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Speaking to Sky News, the left-winger said &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; \u201cneeds a miracle\u201d to save his premiership.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e6008581-a68b-4bef-a19d-1398d04f4962&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;12ed06b8-c414-4ad5-96e1-10eefadb65ad&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I\u2019m sure he is angry because I\u2019d be angry if I was him. However, he should have listened to the people who were flagging up that this was a catastrophic appointment.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;And he didn\u2019t. And that\u2019s why we are here today.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;60e21556-eb42-4f22-b016-b973d9419542&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Byrne said that the prime minister needs to \u201clook at the consequences of his actions,\u201d adding:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;98c3aa2b-7900-4cc1-af2a-3b158579b3da&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;What he\u2019s enabled by putting Mandelson in that job\u2026 and that may come out, we don\u2019t know what he\u2019s done while he\u2019s been in there.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4d566f96-50e9-4edf-86be-1b45ef49e98a&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770375461000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.57\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770376593000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770375788000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.03\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.03&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour MP says Keir Starmer needs to \\&quot;look at the consequences\\&quot; of giving Mandelson ambassadorship&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985af788f08f529bdb8664a&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Parliament\u2019s intelligence and security committee (ISC) has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/isc.independent.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260205-ISC-Letter-to-the-Prime-Minister.pdf\\&quot;&gt;published a letter &lt;\/a&gt;explaining how documents relating to Mandelson\u2019s appointment as US ambassador will be published.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a704c618-0cb1-4665-9a5b-69ec9f15cc1a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A key requirement is that all communications between Mandelson and ministers, government officials and special advisers (such as Starmer\u2019s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney) must be published.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c1f03462-a3ed-4b1c-98e0-b1b0ab2c4540&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The ISC also laid out that the cabinet secretary should decide which documents should be made public with an expectation that this happens \u201cvery shortly.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;392fa79f-28ed-47bf-981d-7d534049d819&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If there are any documents that could have implications for national security or international relations, then they should be handed over to the ISC, who will decide whether or not to publish them.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;26415d43-1f58-4ad8-b258-f6a977a08b57&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770368888000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.08\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770369853000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770369853000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ministers and government officials must submit all communications with Mandelson, ISC says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985a9f58f087d841849d330&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Number 10 clearly hoped that &lt;strong&gt;Starmer\u2019s&lt;\/strong&gt; apology to &lt;strong&gt;Epstein\u2019s&lt;\/strong&gt; victims on Thursday would help him regain the trust of the public and his MPs.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2ff76de2-1752-4110-afa6-aadb29977695&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He said yesterday that the victims of Epstein had \u201clived with trauma that most of us could barely comprehend\u201d, and added: \u201cI want to say this. I am sorry \u2013 sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed, sorry for having believed &lt;strong&gt;Mandelson\u2019s&lt;\/strong&gt; lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now you\u2019re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b9f7156e-bb8c-4e3d-82a0-f036c295a2f0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;His statement centered around the view that Mandelson lied to him about the depth of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction as a sex offender.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;35e52fb2-67de-4f29-9eb2-66a2452a144c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;That apology hasn\u2019t done what he wanted.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9c2bad82-152d-4117-8a24-9805e9b56f66&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Instead, the criticism has continued from all corners of the party. One of the most stinging lines came from &lt;strong&gt;Harriet Harman&lt;\/strong&gt;, a sitting member in the Lords and a former deputy leader of the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; party, who said the scandal made him look \u201cweak, naive and gullible.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;98a0c335-0355-498c-94ab-89429343ffd2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In an &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/mandelson-saga-will-bring-pm-down-unless-he-takes-necessary-action-harman-warns-13503768\\&quot;&gt;interview with Sky News podcast&lt;\/a&gt; Electoral Dysfunction, she said: \u201cHe\u2019s got to stop blaming Mandelson and saying, \u2018he lied to me\u2019.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5347c477-550f-4e3b-a336-96cc5654d978&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cBecause actually he should never have been considering him in the first place. And to say \u2018he lied to me\u2019 makes it look weak and naive and gullible. So it\u2019s just completely the wrong thing.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;90a7bc60-6ec6-4e6c-bcc1-e804d9ccf047&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The path forward, in her view, is a \u201cfull reset\u201d of his advisers in No 10.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3b771469-b65c-40ed-8888-bc98b88218a6&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770367477000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770370319000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.31\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770368043000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.54\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;08.54&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Harriet Harman says Starmer looks \\&quot;weak, naive and gullible\\&quot; over Mandelson appointment&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985a8e98f08f529bdb86624&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Downing Street has defied calls to remove &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt;\u2019s most senior aide, insisting &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/no-10-defies-calls-to-sack-morgan-mcsweeney-over-mandelson-appointment\\&quot;&gt;Morgan McSweeney&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/no-10-defies-calls-to-sack-morgan-mcsweeney-over-mandelson-appointment\\&quot;&gt; retains the prime minister&lt;\/a&gt;\u2019s confidence, as frustration grows over a wait for documents on &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt;, which some fear could last for weeks.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;21088f90-7d9a-47d8-98b9-67528a03cf96&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Amid warnings from &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; backbenchers that McSweeney\u2019s survival would leave Starmer\u2019s position \u201cuntenable\u201d, Starmer apologised to victims of &lt;strong&gt;Jeffrey Epstein&lt;\/strong&gt; for appointing Mandelson, a close friend of the convicted child sex offender, as US ambassador.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0e643b89-1b9c-4563-be71-f9a852c6b6dd&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A day after &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/04\/labour-mps-say-starmer-days-as-pm-are-numbered-amid-fury-over-mandelson\\&quot;&gt;a chaotic Commons deal&lt;\/a&gt; to release &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/release-files-peter-mandelson-us-ambassador-jeffrey-epstein\\&quot;&gt;vetting papers over Mandelson\u2019s appointment&lt;\/a&gt; left many Labour MPs mutinous, there was still fury about the role of McSweeney, the PM\u2019s chief of staff.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;025be9df-9ead-42e8-afa7-ad8e384316f3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;One &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; MP said: \u201cPeople want [McSweeney] to go, more than ever before. The current situation is unsustainable.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e7517582-857e-46da-9e36-93b55c8b9005&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Karl Turner&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Hull East MP and a vocal critic of the current No 10 operation, said McSweeney staying would &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/04\/labour-mps-say-starmer-days-as-pm-are-numbered-amid-fury-over-mandelson\\&quot;&gt;leave the prime minister\u2019s position \u201cuntenable\u201d&lt;\/a&gt;. \u201cI don\u2019t want the PM to go. What I want is the PM to make changes,\u201d he told the BBC.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c9d3db8b-2a7d-431d-b939-e82d48ab5b59&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Downing Street officials pointed to Starmer\u2019s strong defence of McSweeney in the Commons on Wednesday, in which he said nothing had changed. Supporters of the PM are aware that shedding his chief of staff could leave Starmer more directly in the firing line in a future crisis.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;df685698-f4f1-4ba9-b0c9-a0a14cc9ad5e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/no-10-defies-calls-to-sack-morgan-mcsweeney-over-mandelson-appointment\\&quot;&gt;Read the full story: No 10 defies calls to sack Morgan McSweeney over Mandelson appointment&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;06d3014c-24c1-4f7e-820e-793a3c9c005c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770367209000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770367373000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770367373000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;08.42&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;McSweeney staying would leave the prime minister\u2019s position \u201cuntenable,\u201d Labour MP says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Peter Walker&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/29\/Peter_Walker.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=77c8a5607d7ae8e2f9decbfa0412cd8d&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/29\/Peter_Walker.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=ae0edeaf061c1f5f6485752446d00fe8&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6985a3f48f08465128686e8c&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Hello and welcome to Friday\u2019s edition of our UK politics blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0848e1cb-2665-4853-af55-dbb592a8f82e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;To start, I want to take you back to what feels like another era\u2026 July 2024.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;19d9998d-4e3a-4bd7-8b7f-0acd6bd5d7e2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt;\u2019s message to the British people during the last election cycle was pretty simple: Labour were the grown-ups in Parliament and were the only party who could be trusted to govern the country.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ba7e8be6-058e-4c31-8aaa-c6010300efc5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The campaign could be summed up in one persistently repeated sentence: \u201cOnly a &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; government can break this cycle and stop the chaos.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;50d96c03-fa59-4fa0-a2f4-cacc4a02c543&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And yet, once again, the prime minister has faced his worst week in office. Anger has continued to grow, with the party unable to stay on message. Labour MPs feel this latest incident is a problem of his own making, given he chose to appoint the so-called \u201cPrince of Darkness\u201d &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt; as US ambassador.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d45f7226-65c8-447a-a575-f16a75eb467f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But his MPs are divided over how to move on. So far No 10 has held out calls to sack Starmer\u2019s chief of staff &lt;strong&gt;Morgan McSweeney&lt;\/strong&gt;, who pushed for Mandelson\u2019s appointment back in 2024.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6ae6a5ac-5cfb-405d-9f23-09443521127b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;That won\u2019t stop the outrage though. Speaking on the Today programme, Labour MP &lt;strong&gt;Simon Opher&lt;\/strong&gt; said there needs to be a \u201cclearout\u201d of advisers in number 10, with a specific shout-out for McSweeney to leave.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1813ac1d-f882-4d73-bdde-f9578364fc44&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of anger amongst Labour MPs, because really we want to, I mean, yesterday, I want to be talking about the cancer care plan, not about Peter Mandelson,\u201d he said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;70ebdf45-a675-4920-ac78-84ea3f0f9694&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cSo I think what we need to do, I think what needs to really happen is that we need to, Keir Starmer needs to change his advisers in Number 10, I think he\u2019s been badly advised, and he\u2019s been really let down, particularly on this decision.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6f84b557-6f6d-4e24-aaad-dc5e6983abe8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Pressed on whether this meant McSweeney should go, he said: \u201cI think so yes\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0fb6e7fd-67d3-467b-9b38-a2d72f37074b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cIf my chief of staff had done this I think he would be looking for another job to be honest.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;49f549cf-84d9-4267-9e01-0f3676b93584&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770367152000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.39\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770366822000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.33\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770367152000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.39\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;08.39&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour MP says that Keir Starmer needs a \\&quot;clearout\\&quot; of advisers in No 10&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Fri 6 Feb 2026 17.04 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Fri 6 Feb 2026 08.39 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1770397541165}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-69861ea18f08f529bdb86d0f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A man who left the <strong>London<\/strong> house, and got into a car, declined to comment, including on anything happening inside the property.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here are some more photos of police appearing to search the address near Regent\u2019s Park in London:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"5d7d375d-b0b4-4522-af1b-6768972cfaff\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Police officers at the home of Lord Peter Mandelson on February 06, 2026 in London, England.<\/span> Photograph: Brook Mitchell\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"d7f7209c-ee4e-4fa2-bb3d-02280599f07b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Police officers at the home of Lord Peter Mandelson on February 06, 2026 in London, England. <\/span> Photograph: Brook Mitchell\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69861ea18f08f529bdb86d0f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69861ea18f08f529bdb86d0f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69861ea18f08f529bdb86d0f#block-69861ea18f08f529bdb86d0f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69861a358f08465128687504\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/12\/26\/Vikram_Dodd,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=11c544e126c4149da7d3f86f61f45d67\" alt=\"Vikram Dodd\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Vikram Dodd<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It is understood <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> was at the <strong>Camden<\/strong> address searched by police, and officers were able to gain entry into the second address in <strong>Wiltshire<\/strong> without any need to use force.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Detectives believe the searches are necessary as part of their exercise in gathering evidence, ahead of an expected interview of Mandelson to be held soon and which is expected to take place under criminal caution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The key items detectives are looking at securing are electronic devices, namely phones, computers, USB sticks, as well as anything in writing such as documents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Officers are understood to have arrived to carry out the searches unannounced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">What they find will determine the investigation\u2019s next steps, and whether it is thought necessary or not to arrest the former cabinet minister.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69861a358f08465128687504&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69861a358f08465128687504&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69861a358f08465128687504#block-69861a358f08465128687504\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698617448f08f529bdb86c9d\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Daniel-Boffey,-L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=82b5c74306cbaf723065d9f0d13b419a\" alt=\"Daniel Boffey\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Daniel Boffey<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>A general election was on the horizon and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/peter-mandelson\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Peter Mandelson<\/a> was everywhere. \u201cHe didn\u2019t have a desk but he would dip in and out on big issues; he was always there for advice,\u201d recalled a former Labour official of the party\u2019s run-up to the campaign in 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHe would be in and out of the Loto [leader of the opposition] office in Westminster, picking people off individually, \u2018We need to chat and do this\u2019, sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Labour<\/a> peer\u2019s presence was welcomed by some, who found it reassuring to have a member of the election-winning New Labour team around, but others were notably seeking to keep a distance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cSue didn\u2019t want him near anything,\u201d said the source of Sue Gray, who was then Keir Starmer\u2019s chief or staff and for six years before that was head of the Cabinet Office\u2019s ethics and propriety team. \u201cShe kept trying to push him away. I think by that point, he was definitely, like, pestering for a role and wanting a role. She could probably see that all of this would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This week the prime minister, whose hands appeared to be shaking at the Commons dispatch box, apologised for \u201chaving believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u201d over his relationship with the sex offender and disgraced financier <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"67015441-ad62-4de3-88e6-248a7a70fcf1\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:5,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;\u2018Pestering for a role\u2019: how Mandelson talked his way back into the Labour fold&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;67015441-ad62-4de3-88e6-248a7a70fcf1&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/06\/peter-mandelson-election-labour-insiders&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698617448f08f529bdb86c9d&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698617448f08f529bdb86c9d&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698617448f08f529bdb86c9d#block-698617448f08f529bdb86c9d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-06T16:31:50.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Friday, 6 February 2026 at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time\">16.31 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6986148e8f087d841849d949\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two people believed to be police officers left the house in north London to collect items from their car, PA reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">They collected a blue box and a large bag before re-entering the property near Regent\u2019s Park in central London.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6986148e8f087d841849d949&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6986148e8f087d841849d949&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6986148e8f087d841849d949#block-6986148e8f087d841849d949\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69860ef08f08465128687419\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Police say 72-year-old has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Police have confirmed that the searches carried out in Wiltshire and Camden are in relation to its investigation into <strong>misconduct in public office<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">PA reports two people believed to be police officers arrived outside a house near Regent\u2019s Park in central London on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">One of them appeared to be wearing a small body camera. They knocked on the door and entered the house.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Deputy assistant commissioner Hayley Sewart<\/strong>, of the Metropolitan Police, said in a statement:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I can confirm that officers from the Met\u2019s central specialist crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area.<\/p>\n<p>The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.<\/p>\n<p>He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"c5c0c537-39f5-47cd-b134-0bd38c6ddeb6\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Two people believed to be Police Officers arrive at a property in London.<\/span> Photograph: Brook Mitchell\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69860ef08f08465128687419&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69860ef08f08465128687419&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69860ef08f08465128687419#block-69860ef08f08465128687419\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-06T16:10:04.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Friday, 6 February 2026 at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time\">16.10 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69860b608f087d841849d899\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Police carry out search warrants in relation over Mandelson reports<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Police have carried out <strong>search warrants<\/strong> in relation to their investigation into <strong>misconduct in public office<\/strong>, they said on Friday, following reports about the conduct of former UK ambassador to the US <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The police said they were carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area and another in the Camden, north London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The police added that they had not arrested the man involved in the investigation, who they said was a 72-year-old.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69860b608f087d841849d899&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69860b608f087d841849d899&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69860b608f087d841849d899#block-69860b608f087d841849d899\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698604c88f087d841849d7f1\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While <strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> believes the files will prove <strong>Mandelson<\/strong> lied during his vetting, the publication of communications with ministers and senior officials has the <strong>potential to prove embarrassing for the government<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Publication of the full tranche of documents could take some time, as parliament\u2019s <strong>Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC)<\/strong> must review any items that the government wishes to withhold for national security reasons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The committee has yet to set out a timetable for making its decisions on what can be released, PA reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Metropolitan Police has also asked for some documents to be withheld, claiming it could jeopardise its criminal investigation into allegations Mandelson passed on market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary following the 2008 financial crisis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The number of documents, and the sensitive nature of some of them, mean the files could be released piecemeal rather than in one large tranche.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698604c88f087d841849d7f1&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698604c88f087d841849d7f1&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698604c88f087d841849d7f1#block-698604c88f087d841849d7f1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6985fd4d8f08f529bdb86ab9\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Number of Mandelson documents could be close to 100,000 &#8211; report<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The total number of government documents related to Peter Mandelson\u2019s appointment as US ambassador could be close to 100,000, <\/strong>the BBC reported<strong> <\/strong>without citing a source for the information.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) wrote to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/keir-starmer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Keir Starmer<\/a> yesterday to set out its expectations ahead of the release of the Mandelson documents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a communication from Lord Beamish and Jeremy Wright, the committee said it is up to the government to decide which of the documents, relating to the ambassadorial appointment, should not be published.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985fd4d8f08f529bdb86ab9&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985fd4d8f08f529bdb86ab9&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985fd4d8f08f529bdb86ab9#block-6985fd4d8f08f529bdb86ab9\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-06T15:08:08.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Friday, 6 February 2026 at 15:08 Greenwich Mean Time\">15.08 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6985fa068f08f529bdb86a8e\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Labour MP <strong>Neil Duncan-Jordan<\/strong> has said <strong>Keir Starmer should resign<\/strong> as prime minister and called for a \u201crenewal\u201d of the party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe can\u2019t just keep going on like this &#8211; lurching from one crisis to the next,\u201d the MP for Poole told BBC News.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added that he wishes to see a \u201crenewal of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> party\u201d to restart its \u201coffer to the British public\u201d.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985fa068f08f529bdb86a8e&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985fa068f08f529bdb86a8e&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985fa068f08f529bdb86a8e#block-6985fa068f08f529bdb86a8e\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6985f4618f087d841849d704\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/02\/22\/Gwyn_Topham,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=a6e7a42588f25a2b91e2c83b9dbd9edc\" alt=\"Gwyn Topham\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Gwyn Topham<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Most of England\u2019s smart motorway schemes have proved poor or very poor value for money<\/strong>, according to assessments by the government agency that built them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Official evaluations from National Highways, some of which had been held back by the Department for Transport (DfT) since completion in 2023, showed that a slew of big projects to convert the hard shoulder on the M1, M4, M6 and M25 were rated as \u201cpoor\u201d or \u201cvery poor\u201d value.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The AA said the long-awaited reports revealed smart motorways had been a \u201ccatastrophic waste of time, money and effort\u201d, although the government said they showed the project could allow more vehicles to travel safely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">National Highways was given the go-ahead by the DfT to finally publish 16 reports known as \u201cpopes\u201d (post-opening project evaluations) on Thursday. Of the 11 motorway schemes that were evaluated over a five-year period since opening and given a financial assessment, only two were rated positively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Smart motorways, which were rolled out widely in England from 2013, were designed to increase capacity relatively cheaply, by converting the hard shoulder into a live lane and using electronic overhead signs to manage traffic and close lanes in emergencies.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"fed1866a-d84a-44d5-ab4c-a9652ab576a5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:5,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Most of England\u2019s smart motorways are poor value for money, official reports find&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fed1866a-d84a-44d5-ab4c-a9652ab576a5&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/feb\/06\/smart-motorways-poor-value-report-aa&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985f4618f087d841849d704&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985f4618f087d841849d704&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985f4618f087d841849d704#block-6985f4618f087d841849d704\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6985efbe8f08f529bdb869ed\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>More than 50 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> MPs<\/strong> have urged the government to reconsider its decision not to pay compensation to so-called <strong>Waspi women<\/strong> in the latest sign of backbench unrest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">They were among 92 parliamentarians who signed a letter co-ordinated by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey saying it was the \u201cwrong decision\u201d not to award compensation to women over pension age changes, PA reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The letter to work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>We collectively represent millions of women born in the 1950s and express our grave disappointment that the government has once again chosen to reject compensation for the 1950s women affected by state pension age changes.<\/p>\n<p>This was the wrong decision, but you have the opportunity to put this right.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The signatories included Labour MPs who have spoken out publicly about their frustrations in recent days, including Rachael Maskell, Paula Barker, Neil Duncan Jordan and John McDonnell.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985efbe8f08f529bdb869ed&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985efbe8f08f529bdb869ed&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985efbe8f08f529bdb869ed#block-6985efbe8f08f529bdb869ed\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6985e9d88f08f529bdb86976\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/09\/Polly_Toynbee,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=99f83b768ea0aee5411d25e7ae208ded\" alt=\"Polly Toynbee\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Polly Toynbee<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The smell of death is in the Westminster air. Labour\u2019s King Rat Peter Mandelson has again cast his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-scandal-keir-starmer-apologises-jeffrey-epstein-victims\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">sulphurous odour of villainy<\/a> around the palace, and contamination may drag a decent, well-intentioned Labour leader down with him.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">That\u2019s the tragedy. Nothing about Keir Starmer\u2019s life purpose, attitudes, tastes, morals or values resembles Mandelson\u2019s and his venal world of corrupted power, where mega-billions buy anyone anything. Not friends; they had nothing in common. For all Mandelson\u2019s pedigree, reaching into the party\u2019s past, he never seemed to have a single Labour value or egalitarian instinct. Labour was a vehicle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But even if the men were never close, Mandelson worked to cast his mantle over Starmer\u2019s team, just as he had exerted his malign and worldly influence on Labour for decades. Morgan McSweeney was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/politics\/2026\/02\/05\/mandelson-protege-mcsweeney-starmer-adviser\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">his young protege<\/a>, learning the Mandelsonian way of political cynicism; others in the cabinet, too, were surely seduced by that aura of \u201cgrownup\u201d reckoning with the \u201creal world\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">McSweeney was widely reported to be<strong> <\/strong>the one <a href=\"https:\/\/observer.co.uk\/news\/politics\/article\/mcsweeney-asked-if-mandelson-us-embassy-role-could-be-part-time\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pushing Mandelson\u2019s appointment<\/a> to Washington, a clever idea to plant a man without scruples to schmooze a president with even fewer. Clever, that is, if you can skip past the minor irrelevance of his intimate friendship with a man who trafficked young girls for influence with the mighty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">All the great and bad whose names tumble out of the newly released files \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/03\/epstein-files-noam-chomsky\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Noam Chomsky<\/a>! \u2013 shrugged it off. Somehow, the grooming gangs of Rotherham cause more visceral disgust and outcry than exploitation of these equally vulnerable victims procured for the lusts of the wealthy.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"edd27ede-f74a-4e8a-834f-237638b2ad87\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:5,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;It\u2019s tragic that a decent PM will be brought down by Mandelson\u2019s sleaze \u2013 but it\u2019s a matter of when, not if | Polly Toynbee&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;edd27ede-f74a-4e8a-834f-237638b2ad87&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2026\/feb\/06\/keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-peter-mandelson-labour&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985e9d88f08f529bdb86976&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985e9d88f08f529bdb86976&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985e9d88f08f529bdb86976#block-6985e9d88f08f529bdb86976\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6985e4798f08f529bdb86923\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Boss of lobbying firm founded with Mandelson quits after Epstein revelations<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2019\/11\/14\/Ben_Quinn.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=297a1d09bee05d7004e7a46737ffc547\" alt=\"Ben Quinn\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Ben Quinn<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A former No 10 aide has quit as chief executive of the influential lobbying firm he co-founded with <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> following revelations from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a> files.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ben Wegg-Prosser<\/strong> stepped down on Friday as the head of Global Counsel after emails revealed the extent to which he and Mandselson had involved the convicted child sex offender when they were setting up the company in 2010.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The fallout from the release of the files in the US has triggered a crisis at Global Counsel, which has had close ties to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Labour<\/a> and lobbied the government on behalf of clients including the controversial tech firm and government contractor Palantir.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The departure of Wegg-Prosser, formerly Tony Blair\u2019s director of strategic communications at No 10, was communicated to clients on Friday by the firm as it fought to stave off damage from the scandal. One major client, Barclays, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/05\/barclays-vodafone-lobbying-firm-global-counsel-peter-mandelson\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">had already cut ties.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The companay also told clients on Friday that it had reached an agreement for the divestment of Mandelson\u2019s shares in the company and that the transaction would be completed later in the day subject to approvals. The peer left the company\u2019s board two years ago when a company owned by the former Barack Obama adviser Jim Messina invested in it, but retained shares.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe completion of this transaction will bring to an end any connection between Global Counsel and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/peter-mandelson\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Peter Mandelson<\/a>,\u201d said chair Archie Norman.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"1db2afff-a765-455e-9afe-8720be5e150e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:6,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Boss of lobbying firm founded with Peter Mandelson quits after Epstein revelations&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1db2afff-a765-455e-9afe-8720be5e150e&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/06\/ben-wegg-prosser-boss-lobbying-firm-peter-mandelson-quits-jeffrey-epstein-revelations&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985e4798f08f529bdb86923&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985e4798f08f529bdb86923&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985e4798f08f529bdb86923#block-6985e4798f08f529bdb86923\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6985e3ac8f0846512868717d\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Just a reminder that a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed last night that <strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> has full confidence in his chief of staff <strong>Morgan McSweeney.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There have been calls by backbenchers for the sacking of McSweeney, whom many blame for his ally <strong>Peter Mandelson\u2019s<\/strong> appointment to the ambassadorship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked if the prime minister agreed with calls for his chief of staff to be sacked, the prime minister\u2019s official spokesperson said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>It\u2019s full confidence.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There have been renewed calls today for McSweeney to go, as Starmer continues to face the fallout of the Mandelson scandal.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985e3ac8f0846512868717d&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985e3ac8f0846512868717d&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985e3ac8f0846512868717d#block-6985e3ac8f0846512868717d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6985debc8f08f529bdb868be\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The <strong>Scottish government<\/strong> has announced plans for a <strong>housing grant scheme<\/strong> in rural areas, PA reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">First minister John Swinney set out the Rural and Island Housing Grant Scheme at the National Farmers Union Scotland conference on Friday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said the scheme, which will have an indicative budget of up to \u00a320m over four years, will help ensure people can \u201cput down roots in rural and island Scotland, or move back to the communities where they grew up\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>It will build on our positive track record in affordable housing &#8211; with 10% of homes being delivered in rural and island communities &#8211; and underpin our work supporting the development of the new housing agency, More Homes Scotland.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"0df42bae-b5b5-4d2e-9daa-c52360cf30dd\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), answers a question during First Minister\u00d5s Questions.<\/span> Photograph: Andrew MacColl\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6985debc8f08f529bdb868be&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6985debc8f08f529bdb868be&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Police search properties related to Peter Mandelson investigation - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/06\/labour-party-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-morgan-mcsweeney-live-news-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6985debc8f08f529bdb868be#block-6985debc8f08f529bdb868be\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/series\/politics-live-with-andrew-sparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Series&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics live with Andrew Sparrow&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/uk&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/morgan-mcsweeney&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Morgan McSweeney&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/peter-mandelson&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Peter Mandelson&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/labour&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by minute&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/tom-ambrose&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Tom Ambrose&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/siraj-datoo&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Siraj Datoo&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/vikramdodd&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Vikram Dodd&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/12\/26\/Vikram-Dodd.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5cac2d25e43c39a15f90e14fc954abe4&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/12\/26\/Vikram_Dodd,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=11c544e126c4149da7d3f86f61f45d67&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/daniel-boffey&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Daniel 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