'Significant volume of material' to be reviewed in appointment of Mandelson, Starmer says, as police search properties linked to former ambassador

In a letter to the Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), Sir Keir Starmer said it was important documents are made available to Parliament "as soon as possible."

He insisted the Government wanted to ensure "urgency and transparency," amid pressure to reveal the extent of what was known about the peer’s relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was picked for the job.

Writing to the Committee's chairman Lord Beamish, Sir Keir said: "Thank you for your letter following the Humble Address relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

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"I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to work with you and your committee to agree the detail of how material that may be prejudicial to the UK’s national security and international relations is shared and reviewed, having regard to the requirements of the Metropolitan Police investigation.

"As you note in your letter, it is important that documents are made available to Parliament as soon as possible, noting that there is likely to be a very significant volume of material that will need to be reviewed to establish whether it is in scope.

"Above all else, the Government wishes to engage constructively with the ISC, and to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to follow up."

It comes days after the Prime Minister was told he must to hand over documents to the ISC, following a backlash from Labour MPs, as the Met launched a criminal investigation into Mandelson.

The Metropolitan Police had urged the government not to release any files that "could undermine the current investigation."

However, House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle insisted the force had "no jurisdiction" to do so.

Number 10 had wanted to retain the power to block the publication of certain documents but those plans were altered following a Labour backbench rebellion.

Earlier on Friday, police officers could be seen searching two addresses linked to Mandelson, one n Wiltshire and the other Camden, north London, which form form part of the misconduct in public office probe.

Police have left the London property carrying several boxes, with seven officers exiting the front door of the house in Camden at about 8.23pm.

One could be seen carrying a white cardboard box and another with a blue plastic one. Reporters’ cameras flashed as they drove away in cars that had been parked outside the building.

Documents released as part of the so-called Epstein files led to allegations that while Lord Mandelson was business secretary following the 2008 financial crisis, he passed on market-sensitive information to the sex offender.

The files laid bare the apparent extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, as well as leading to accusations relating to his time in Government.

Sir Keir apologised to the victims of Epstein in the House of Commons on Thursday, and admitted he knew of the ties but admitted not to its true extent.

Mandelson has yet to speak publicly, but it understood he maintains he did not act criminally and that his actions in 2008 were not for personal gain.