‘We Have Delivered’: Minister Defends Mandelson’s Track Record Amidst Firing

Even as the government grappled with the fallout from Peter Mandelson’s firing, a senior minister staunchly defended his track record as US ambassador, claiming he had “delivered for people in Britain time after time.” Business Secretary Peter Kyle attempted to frame the scandal by highlighting Mandelson’s alleged achievements in the role.
Kyle argued that Mandelson had successfully “navigated the most difficult period in the US-UK relationship since the second world war.” This defense seeks to portray the appointment, though now terminated, as a success that was unfortunately cut short by new revelations, rather than a catastrophic error in judgment from the outset.
This positive spin is at odds with the reason for his dismissal: emails showing him advising Jeffrey Epstein to “fight for early release.” Critics argue that no amount of diplomatic achievement can sanitize such a profound ethical failure, and that the government’s focus on his performance is a deflection from the core issue of his character.
The attempt to praise Mandelson’s work while simultaneously firing him for his conduct has created a confusing and contradictory message from the government. It highlights the deep political bind No. 10 is in, forced to disown their chosen ambassador while trying to salvage some justification for having appointed him in the first place.