Article #40409

Criticisms revealed in major release of files relating to Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to US

• UK politics live – latest updates

Peter Mandelson exchanged WhatsApp messages with a senior cabinet minister criticising Keir Starmer’s lack of “verve” and tendency to buckle under pressure, suggesting the prime minister should behave in a more “Trumpian” fashion.

The former US ambassador said No 10 was “beleaguered and bereft” and that the public were “crying out for leadership”. In another exchange, he described both the advisers and policy coming out of No 10 as “rubbish in, rubbish out”.

McFadden complaining how Labour MPs wanted to raise taxes to pay for welfare.

Starmer’s chief of staff considered setting up an external No 10 unit to circumvent existing staff.

Mandelson venting his annoyance about Ed Miliband and net zero.