Lord Peter Mandelson UK’s ambassador to the USA

He had a personal relationship with both Maxwell and Epstein, he stayed in his house after Epstein had been arrested for prostitution, this was reported in the guardian. Powerful men such as Mandelson enabled Epstein by giving him a 'cover' of respectability.

Wyllow3 they definitely had a friendship, enough to go clothes shopping together…

GrannyGravy13

The Financial Times has a lengthy piece on Peter Mandelson and his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

He even stayed at Epstein’s Manhattan house whilst Epstein was in prison, before his parole…

It is not behind a paywall, so available to all.

GrannyGravy13 re The Financial Times comment.

It would though, wouldn't it.

I never heard talk of Peter Mandelson being bi sexual

GrannyGravy13

Dickens at least POTUS and Lord Mandelson will have a friend in common…

I was going to add that!

If I'm not mistaken, I think there's been a few high-profile individuals who've knocked around with Epstein on social occasions where the rich and famous gather, and it's not unusual for there to be attractive young women hanging around on the fringes of these gatherings.

Dickens

GrannyGravy13

Dickens at least POTUS and Lord Mandelson will have a friend in common…

I was going to add that!

If I'm not mistaken, I think there's been a few high-profile individuals who've knocked around with Epstein on social occasions where the rich and famous gather, and it's not unusual for there to be attractive young women hanging around on the fringes of these gatherings.

Dickens Elon Musk often threatens on X to publish names from the Epstein Files.

If he has got this information it will give him far more leverage than all his $ billions…

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Country not Party though? Our British ambassadors are supposed to be diplomacy professionals, not political appointments. The British ambassador to the US is supposed to represent Britain, not the Labour Party

Of course.

Somehow, given what's going to be going on in the US next year, Mandelson could be just the person for the job.

But Peter Mandelson keeps getting found out and forced to resign, or deny repeated reports of suspect dealings.

Not so clever, but very good and being friends with useful people who will help him improve his personal finances.

Trouble follows him wherever he is.

One of Trump's aides is quoted a saying Mandelson is a moron.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Actually Dickens it wasn’t an editorial article upthread. It was an ‘opinion piece’ by one of the newspaper’s regulars.

Here’s another (just for balance)from the Telegraph:

Tom Harris
Mandelson is a political genius: he’s the right man to deal with Trump
He will bring charm and intelligence to the role and perhaps even progress towards an elusive transatlantic trade deal.

He will bring charm and intelligence to the role and perhaps even progress towards an elusive transatlantic trade deal.

'Charm' is not usually a word many people associate with Mandelson.

If he is successful with that 'elusive' transatlantic trade deal, it will be interesting to see what concessions we have to make - or accept.

In the interests of balance, there are points in that original opinion piece you quoted that I agree with...

... and my apologies for thinking it was an editorial and not an opinion piece.

kittylester

One of Trump's aides is quoted a saying Mandelson is a moron.

It was Trump's co-manager for his election campaign.

A tit-for-tat response in view of what Mandelson previously said about Trump - "he's a danger to the world".

But, that shouldn't necessarily be a bar to success.

Boris Johnson is on record as making a couple of unpleasant comments about Trump prior to his (Trump's) visit to the UK, but that didn't stop them becoming friends later on.

Isn’t it interesting that calling the next Ambassador a moron is seen as acceptable in Trumpland

kittylester

One of Trump's aides is quoted a saying Mandelson is a moron.

If that wasn't so ludicrous it would be funny.

He could run rings round any of them.

If there’s one thing Mandelson isn’t, it’s a moron.

petal53

If there’s one thing Mandelson isn’t, it’s a moron.

This should have been an independant appointment. Not given to a lacky of the Labour Party. According to an Oxford University research paper of July2024, "politicization of diplomacy weakens the professionalism of the foreign service, and arguably endangers the external relations of states".
Im sure others on here will critique the research paper.
As with Tulip Siddiq, people are put in place when their past history says they are not fit to hold office.

I agree with you Freya.
My personal opinion is that this man is totally unfit for this role due to his double resignations from office in the past, due to ‘dodgy’ dealings. Personally I think he is an odious character and I have done so for some time, but I guess it takes all sorts.
Amazingly to me, some posters seem to think he’s a good choice.
Have they forgotten the reasons he left office before?

However if Trump’s aids think he is a moron they are sadly mistaken and will find him to be a wily and slippery character I think.

petal53

However if Trump’s aids think he is a moron they are sadly mistaken and will find him to be a wily and slippery character I think.

They have both voiced contempt for each other so mutual dislike is the starting point, in reality little of the actual negotiation is going to be face to face with Trump, I’m not expecting any favours from the US. There is one area that US wants access - US food, Beef, GM cereals, Poultry, I hope that is not on the agenda for a deal.

petal53

However if Trump’s aids think he is a moron they are sadly mistaken and will find him to be a wily and slippery character I think.

That's why he might be a good choice.

Whilst agreeing with other comments about him.

Machiavellian might sum him up. Machiavelli was a diplomat, realistic, manipulative but did use any means to try to achieve stability.

David49

petal53

However if Trump’s aids think he is a moron they are sadly mistaken and will find him to be a wily and slippery character I think.

They have both voiced contempt for each other so mutual dislike is the starting point, in reality little of the actual negotiation is going to be face to face with Trump, I’m not expecting any favours from the US. There is one area that US wants access - US food, Beef, GM cereals, Poultry, I hope that is not on the agenda for a deal.

Its about a lot more than that. Its collecting information/networking/building connections on anything connected to our relationships with the USA.

Wyllow3

David49

petal53

However if Trump’s aids think he is a moron they are sadly mistaken and will find him to be a wily and slippery character I think.

They have both voiced contempt for each other so mutual dislike is the starting point, in reality little of the actual negotiation is going to be face to face with Trump, I’m not expecting any favours from the US. There is one area that US wants access - US food, Beef, GM cereals, Poultry, I hope that is not on the agenda for a deal.

Its about a lot more than that. Its collecting information/networking/building connections on anything connected to our relationships with the USA.

It is of course the tariff structure on every product that we trade with the US and we both have vested interests. Currently it is very expensive to import directly from the US.
For every concession they make will need a reciprocal
concession from us, so my expectations are not high.

Dickens

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Actually Dickens it wasn’t an editorial article upthread. It was an ‘opinion piece’ by one of the newspaper’s regulars.

Here’s another (just for balance)from the Telegraph:

Tom Harris
Mandelson is a political genius: he’s the right man to deal with Trump
He will bring charm and intelligence to the role and perhaps even progress towards an elusive transatlantic trade deal.

He will bring charm and intelligence to the role and perhaps even progress towards an elusive transatlantic trade deal.

'Charm' is not usually a word many people associate with Mandelson.

If he is successful with that 'elusive' transatlantic trade deal, it will be interesting to see what concessions we have to make - or accept.

In the interests of balance, there are points in that original opinion piece you quoted that I agree with...

... and my apologies for thinking it was an editorial and not an opinion piece.

😁😁

Freya5

petal53

If there’s one thing Mandelson isn’t, it’s a moron.

This should have been an independant appointment. Not given to a lacky of the Labour Party. According to an Oxford University research paper of July2024, "politicization of diplomacy weakens the professionalism of the foreign service, and arguably endangers the external relations of states".
Im sure others on here will critique the research paper.
As with Tulip Siddiq, people are put in place when their past history says they are not fit to hold office.

He isn’t a ‘lackey of the Labour Party, he’s a skilled political operator. Disagree with whether he’s the right person for the job of course but try and avoid being offensive

Freya5

petal53

If there’s one thing Mandelson isn’t, it’s a moron.

This should have been an independant appointment. Not given to a lacky of the Labour Party. According to an Oxford University research paper of July2024, "politicization of diplomacy weakens the professionalism of the foreign service, and arguably endangers the external relations of states".
Im sure others on here will critique the research paper.
As with Tulip Siddiq, people are put in place when their past history says they are not fit to hold office.

I think its a description some kind of ideal of diplomacy which doest match the realpolitik of the world we live in and how matters are conducted.

However it is of course about establishing best possible relationships in difficult times (even given the reality that most embassies include more shadowy operatives as a matter of course.

I think Mandelson could do well in this role. He is a known quantity, experienced in ways that can negotiate the sort of situation Trump is going to create.

He has achieved a lot as well as picked up black marks.