By Frank Offiong-
LONDON — Lord Mandelson could be in line for a substantial taxpayer-funded payout following his dismissal by Sir Keir Starmer over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Lord Mandelson
Sir Keir, who had appointed the Labour peer as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, sacked him after the publication of emails showed Lord Mandelson had sent supportive messages to Epstein even as he faced jail for sex offences. A Downing Street spokesperson said the emails revealed “materially different” information from what was known at the time of the peer’s appointment.
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Lord Mandelson(L) and Keir Starmer(R)
However, experts have warned that because Lord Mandelson did not resign, the government may have to compensate him for ending his contract early. Allies of the peer have asserted that he was open about his long-standing association with Epstein during the vetting process for the ambassadorial role.
According to The Times, HR staff have been brought in to ensure there is a legal justification for the sacking, with concerns in government that Lord Mandelson may not “go quietly.” In the past, senior civil servants have received large payouts after leaving government amid controversy. For example, former Home Office top civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam settled his case for £340,000, while Sir Philip Barton, a former top official at the Foreign Office, received a voluntary exit payment of over £260,000.
Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, suggested a “negotiation” over a financial package is likely. He noted that while an ambassador serves at the pleasure of the prime minister and can be dismissed, normal employment law must be considered, and compensation could be due depending on the nature of the contract and the reasons for dismissal.
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