News / Politics
Darren Jones offered condolences to Peter Mandelson after sacking
Bristol North West MP Darren Jones told Peter Mandelson he was “so sorry about today” after the former ambassador to the USA was sacked over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The exchange in texts sent between the two politicians revealed by the Spectator shows Jones praising Mandelson even after fresh information about the Labour Party grandee’s links to sex offender Epstein had come to light.
Mandelson was sacked from his job in Washington after emails showed him telling Epstein his 2008 conviction for soliciting underage sex was “wrongful and should be challenged”.
Now it seems Jones too retained his faith in a friend after the coming-to-light of damaging information.
On the day the prime minister dismissed Mandelson, when revelations about the disgraced politician and financier’s friendship were plastered across front pages, Jones wrote: “You’ve been doing such a great job, and you worked wonders with Trump. I’m so sorry about today.”
The chief secretary to the prime minister’s messages with Mandelson were not included in a tranche of documents released as part of the investigation in the sacked politician’s appointment, with Jones saying some correspondence was not retrievable due to changed devices or disappearing message features.
However, they were subsequently released by the Spectator.
In a House of Commons debate on Wednesday, Jones apologised for giving Mandelson the benefit of the doubt but denied ignoring negative stories about him.
“Did I subconsciously treat Peter Mandelson differently because I believed him to have influence and power within the Labour Party?” he asked.
“I think the answer to that question is yes, I did. Have I benefited from that relationship in the time I have been an elected politician? I think in part the answer to that question is yes, I did.
“For that I would like to apologise to the House, to the victims, to Lisa (Phillips, an Epstein victim) and commit to doing something about it.”
Former Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, now Lord Rees of Easton, criticised the pursuit of power surrounding Mandelson’s appointment – photo: Parliament Live TV
Former Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, a close ally of Jones, has also weighed into the Mandelson debate.
In an interview with Premier Christian News, Rees, now Lord Rees of Easton, said he was angry at the revelations in the recent release of documents.
Rees described the “betrayal” of “hard-working councillors, MPs and mayors”, and said it felt like a small group of people’s efforts to win high-profile positions had undermined the work of ordinary politicians trying to improve the country.
“It’s incredible important we take a sober judgement to what’s going on and recognise that this is about human nature,” he said.
“This is what happens to people when they get into power and they’re seduced by power and their eyes are turned.”
Rees added: “It’s incredibly important that we take a sober judgment to what’s going on and recognise this is about human nature.
“This is what happens to people when they get into power and they’re seduced by power and their eyes are turned. Stuff Jesus warned about as well.”
Main photo: Labour Party
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