Published emails reveal that Peter Mandelson’s former lobbying firm tried to win contracts with companies run by the Russian and Chinese governments after he stepped down from his cabinet role. The messages show that Mandelson and his business partner discussed working for clients such as Rusnano, a Russian state-owned technology firm, and the China International Capital Corporation.

The leaked emails also show that representatives from the firm met with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to talk about business deals. These findings have sparked a political crisis for Keir Starmer. This is because Starmer chose to appoint Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the US, even though he was aware of Mandelson’s past links to Epstein.