Politics latest: Police reviewing allegations – after Mandelson accused of leaking sensitive information to Epstein
Where do the parties stand on the Tories motion to publish all the Mandelson documents?
As we’ve been reporting, MPs are currently debating a motion which is seeking to force the government to publish all the documents relating to the vetting of Peter Mandelson.
Lord Mandelson became the UK’s ambassador to the US last year, taking up the role in February – before being sacked for his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in September.
MPs want to know how he was appointed and what was known by the government at the start of last year.
The Conservatives have used their opposition day debate to schedule a humble address – a way of forcing the government to publish all the documents.
But who is supporting them?
The Liberal Democrats
The Lib Dems are in favour of the motion, and will vote for it if it comes to a vote in the Commons.
The Greens
Ellie Chowns, the leader of the Greens in the Commons, has said her MPs will vote in favour of the Conservatives’ motion as they “want transparency”.
She has also called on the government to scrap its original amendment, exempting some material on grounds of national security and international relations.
Reform UK
Earlier in the debate, Richard Tice argued in favour of the motion and said that the Intelligence and Security Committee should be the ones to vet which documents should be withheld on the grounds of national security.
This is a change the government has since accepted and added to its amendment.
The SNP
Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has made an impassioned speech in favour of the Tories’ amendment, saying the PM “knew that they [Mandelson and Epstein] had a relationship and yet he ignored it”.
“This debate today is important because we will get to the bottom of what Peter Mandelson did.
“It was not a political risk, it was a betrayal of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.”
Your Party
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have spoken in favour of the motion.
In particular, Sultana told MPs: “The government must publish all the documents and the corruption and the cover-up and stop insulting the public with empty words when what we need is transparency.”
Labour
A number of Labour MPs, such as Richard Burgon, have said they will vote for the Conservatives’ motion – despite their party’s own amendments.
But of course, the government is seeking to avoid a vote on the motion altogether.
As we’ve reported, the PM has conceded on his original motion, and it’s understood, hopes this will be accepted without a vote.
