MPs have approved the release of documents about Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US, after angry Labour backbenchers forced a government climbdown.
Sir Keir Starmer told a dramatic Commons session he wanted to release the files - which would show what the government knew about Lord Mandelson's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein - but insisted he would not publish anything that could damage national security or diplomatic relations.
After senior Labour MPs, including former deputy leader Angela Rayner, urged ministers to change course, they were forced to agree to involve a cross-party parliamentary committee in the process.
Sir Keir was under pressure to disclose the papers after police launched a criminal investigation into claims Lord Mandelson passed sensitive government information to Epstein.
The prime minister sacked Lord Mandelson as ambassador last year after new revelations about his friendship with Epstein came to light.
