Government Accused Of 'Cover-Up' Over Redactions In Mandelson Files

Chief secretary to the PM Darren Jones dismissed the claim as a "conspiracy theory".

Political Correspondent

The government has been accused of a “cover-up” after fighting to keep some details of its files on Peter Mandelson redacted.

The second batch of files related to the vetting, hiring and subsequent firing of the ex-ambassador to the US are due to be released in June.

The former Labour peer was sacked in September when the depth of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was uncovered.

But questions over how – and why – he got the job in the first place remain, as his Epstein association was already in the public domain when he was hired.

The government has also been scrutinised after it emerged Mandelson failed security vetting but still got the job.

The government has been forced to publish its internal documents around the decision to hire Mandelson by the Conservatives using a parliamentary procedure........

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