UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment Process Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment Process

Kim Johnson Excerpts
Thursday 11th September 2025

(1 day, 21 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kim Johnson Portrait Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside) (Lab)
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I would also like to offer my support to my hon. Friend the Member for Washington and Gateshead South (Mrs Hodgson). That incident follows a number of others that she has experienced this week. It is out of order.

I thank the Minister for his statement, and I am really pleased that Lord Mandelson has been sacked, but I would like to know what due diligence was undertaken prior to his appointment. Everybody knew about his relationship with Epstein before it.

Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty
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As I have made very clear, it was in the light of additional information and emails written by Lord Mandelson that the Prime Minister asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as ambassador. In particular, Lord Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. I know my hon. Friend well, and I know that her thoughts and the thoughts of us all will be with the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes.