Mr Streeting says he has not spoken to the disgraced new Labour grandee in six months, since before the peer was sacked as UK ambassador to the US over his links to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

He used an interview with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby to say that he had "nothing to hide" in the messages and rejected her suggestion that they showed he had an "intimate friendship" with Lord Mandelson.

Politics latest: Starmer says he's 'won every fight' and will stay as PM

Sky News is redacting one of the exchanges as it contains sensitive personal information.

Read the other messages in full:

30 August 2024

[30/08/2024, 22:22:35] Wes Streeting: Great pitch and lovely photos in the Times

[30/08/2024, 22:23:09] Lord Mandelson: X

31 August 2024

[31/08/2024, 12:19:24] Lord Mandelson: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/peter-mandelson-interview-oxford-chancellor-state-schools-sbd0h6323

[31/08/2024, 12:19:30] Lord Mandelson: Different headline

[31/08/2024, 12:20:57] Wes Streeting: Better reflection of what you said

[31/08/2024, 12:21:47] Lord Mandelson: Yup

[31/08/2024, 12:54:46] Lord Mandelson: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/peter-mandelson-interview-oxford-chancellor-state-schools-sbd0h6323

1 September 2024

[01/09/2024, 21:33:47] Lord Mandelson: Would you consider speaking at the Oxford Union again in their no confidence in the government debate on October 17 (for Labour supporting President) ?

[01/09/2024, 21:34:24] Wes Streeting: Same day as my CLP AGM I'm afraid

[01/09/2024, 21:34:55] Lord Mandelson: That is the priority…..

[01/09/2024, 21:35:03] Wes Streeting: Yep!

24 September 2024

[24/09/2024, 08:07:37] Lord Mandelson: Judge Labour by results, not row on donations

https://www.thetimes.com/article/902ff7e7-14bd-4d3c-8df8-d2b70e08c7ea?shareToken=f9442bf9044bcf0be0ecc9a6ff53257f

8 October 2024

[08/10/2024, 14:53:58] Lord Mandelson: Videos starting to publish, whole thing will be on YouTube later

https://x.com/timesradio/status/1843622377776971931?s=48

2 December 2024

[02/12/2024, 13:39:31] Lord Mandelson: Hi. Can you share Chris W contact as I want to congratulate him

‎[02/12/2024, 13:39:52] Wes Streeting: ‎

[02/12/2024, 13:39:58] Lord Mandelson: Ta

19 December 2024

‎[19/12/2024, 10:48:07] Lord Mandelson: Recovering nicely at home now [REDACTED] happy holidays to everyone x ‎

[19/12/2024, 10:48:25] Wes Streeting: Are you ok? X

[19/12/2024, 10:49:57] Lord Mandelson: Yes [REDACTED]

20 December 2024

[20/12/2024, 18:29:47] Wes Streeting: Congratulations Ambassador! 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[20/12/2024, 19:03:01] Lord Mandelson: 🤗

27 December 2024

[27/12/2024, 15:37:27] Lord Mandelson: There is no touch of John Moore about you

[27/12/2024, 15:54:47] Wes Streeting: I had to google him!

[27/12/2024, 16:01:55] Wes Streeting: Not too bothered by it. It only confirms what I already know: delivery is the only thing that really matters and how I will now be judged.

[27/12/2024, 16:02:47] Lord Mandelson: Before Patrick's time too

[27/12/2024, 16:12:01] Wes Streeting: Indeed. Trying to work out which veteran has the wooden spoon out…

[27/12/2024, 16:23:40] Lord Mandelson: Could be anyone including the doorman

30 December 2024

‎[30/12/2024, 17:51:02] Wes Streeting: A Note on MAGA Insights.pdf • ‎2 pages ‎

[30/12/2024, 17:51:02] Wes Streeting: Interesting readout on the US via Jim Murphy if you haven't already seen it.

23 February 2025

[23/02/2025, 21:15] Wes Streeting: I spoke to Roger who suggested you are very much enjoying your new DC life! [US flag emoji]

Lord Mandelson: I am! It suits me...

By way we have a big problem coming down rack re pharma tariffs. Trump thinks US pharma not being treated well, wants to out tariffs on EU and UK and force manufacturing to US.

Wes Streeting: Urgh.

Wes Streeting: Yet RFK hates pharma.

2 March 2025

[02/03/2025, 12:15:25] Wes Streeting: Am free all day, so call whenever you like

[02/03/2025, 12:16:35] Lord Mandelson: Great. Doing a morning show here and will call after

28 March 2025

[28/03/2025, 10:52:10] Wes Streeting: You should get Doyle to do your comms in DC!

[28/03/2025, 11:32:46] Lord Mandelson: All my comms have been shut down by No10.

Why was he pushed out ?

[28/03/2025, 11:32:53] Wes Streeting: God knows

[28/03/2025, 11:33:17] Lord Mandelson: The government problems do not stem from comms

[28/03/2025, 11:33:38] Wes Streeting: Quite.

[28/03/2025, 11:36:06] Wes Streeting: I fear we're in big trouble here - and I am toast at the next election. We just lost our safest ward in Redbridge (51% Muslim, Ilford S) to a Gaza independent. At this rate I don't think we'll hold either of the two Ilford seats.

[28/03/2025, 11:39:54] Wes Streeting: There isn't a clear answer to the question: why Labour?

[28/03/2025, 11:48:44] Lord Mandelson: The government doesn't have an economic philosophy which is then followed through in a programme of policies.

[28/03/2025, 11:49:15] Wes Streeting: No growth strategy at all

16 June 2025

[16/06/2025, 10:55:11] Wes Streeting: Morning! Are you free for a call anytime between 1400-1600 U.K. time as I've got a call with Secretary Kennedy today and I thought it worth a chat beforehand. This has just been sprung on me by my PO with a poor quality departmental briefing.

[16/06/2025, 11:27:49] Lord Mandelson: I am in Barrow on nuclear subs visit and I am not sure if I will have phones. Let me work out.

[16/06/2025, 13:24:12] Lord Mandelson: James Roscoe will contact you

29 June 2025

[29/06/2025, 09:33:59] Lord Mandelson: Well done on BBC, very good x

[29/06/2025, 19:58:27] Lord Mandelson: Are you planning visit to US this year ?

[29/06/2025, 20:01:57] Wes Streeting: Hope so! X

[29/06/2025, 20:02:33] Lord Mandelson: Need to plan. Lots of tech companies and people to talk to.

24 July 2025

[24/07/2025, 23:00:29] Wes Streeting: Am sure this will come up in coming days, so wanted to check in with you on recognition of Palestine and the domestic politics of it.

Keir's statement today was excellent, but Macron's statement tonight ups the ante.

Morally and politically, I think we need to join France.

Morally, because Israel is committing war crimes before our eyes. Their government talks the language of ethnic cleansing and I have met with our own medics out there who describe the most chilling and distressing scenes of calculated brutality against women and children.

Politically, a Commons vote will be engineered in September on recognition and we will lose it if we're not ahead of it. There are no circumstances in which people like me or Shabana could abstain or vote against, for example. Conference will be a sea of Palestinian flags and the moderates will be waving them.

We need to be leading the charge on this. The alternative is being dragged there with enormous damage to Keir, the govt and the party.

I've never been a shrinking violent on Israel. I've supported LFI for over 20 years. Our sister party, Haaretz, and progressives are clear about what's being done in their name and they oppose it.

I appreciate these things are always more complicated than they appear to those of us who aren't up close as you are and I also appreciate how much Keir and David are giving to this personally.

But it is what it is. We need to lead, not follow.

[24/07/2025, 23:11:47] Lord Mandelson: I can see all this but I am worried that such a gesture now could blow a 2 SS out of the water if Israel decided that unilateral recognition justified further WB annexation which the US would be powerless to stop or reverse. That would be the end of it. So I think we need to employ practical means to get a 2SS, not quickly I grant but realistically. The PA with reform and new leadership can advance this with Arab/US/European support. The alternative is a further deadlocked death spiral on an even greater scale than now.

[24/07/2025, 23:12:10] Wes Streeting: Israel is doing it anyway

[24/07/2025, 23:12:39] Wes Streeting: This is rogue state behaviour. Let them pay the price as pariahs with sanctions applied to the state, not just a few ministers.

[24/07/2025, 23:24:19] Lord Mandelson: Well, I don't make government policy I only help implement it so my views are between us.

[24/07/2025, 23:39:58] Wes Streeting: Absolutely. Not shooting the messenger. It's v helpful in trying to understand what Keir is weighing up as he balances all the risks and considerations that aren't necessarily obvious to the rest of us - so thank you!

26 July 2025

[26/07/2025, 13:06:26] Lord Mandelson: How are you feeling now ?

[26/07/2025, 13:32:44] Wes Streeting: Extremely concerned. Keir's statement has been received as boxing himself in. We are headed straight into:

- summer of angst

- ⁠SO24 debate and engineered vote on recognition in September

- ⁠if whipped, resignations at every level

- ⁠conference dominated by this

The discontent isn't just from the left of the PLP. It is from moderates.

Will be on a bigger scale than welfare and could prove fatal. ‎

[26/07/2025, 13:55:32] Lord Mandelson: If those events unfolded it would certainly convince the public that we are unfit for government.

What does the PLP think would follow from announcing recognition?

[26/07/2025, 13:56:06] Wes Streeting: Nothing in practice, but the symbolism matters against the backdrop of what we're seeeing.

[26/07/2025, 14:16:02] Lord Mandelson: Got it

3 September 2025

[03/09/2025, 22:52:09] Wes Streeting: I'd really like to meet Pete Buttigieg when he's in London for Global Progress. Do you think you could put us in touch?

[03/09/2025, 22:56:02]Lord Mandelson: I am sure. I will get office to reach him.

11 September 2025

[11/09/2025, 18:26:13] Lord Mandelson: LETTER TO BRITISH EMBASSY WASHINGTON STAFF FROM LORD MANDELSON

11 September 2025

Dear All,

As you will be have seen, my position as Ambassador to the United States has come to an end.

Being Ambassador here has been the privilege of my life, and Reinaldo's. I could not have wished for a better welcome by you all, a better

introduction to the job or better support while here. Your professionalism has been superb, more so than I have experienced in any public role. For this I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The circumstances surrounding the announcement today are ones which I deeply regret. I continue to feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein twenty years ago and the plight of his victims. I have no alternative to accepting the Prime Minister's decision and will leave a position in which I have been so incredibly honoured to serve.

The relationship between Britain and the United States of America is a unique one. I know that you will continue to serve and deepen that relationship from DC right across our brilliant network.

I wish to thank you for all of your efforts in serving me as your Ambassador. In a short time we have achieved so much. We leave the relationship with the US in a really good condition, with a magnificent State Visit and the new US-UK Technology Partnership - my personal pride and joy that will help write the next chapter of the special relationship - set for next week.

Thank you from me, Reinaldo and Jock. I will treasure the experience and memory of having worked with you all.

Very best

Peter

Lord Mandelson

30 October 2025

[30/10/2025, 18:21:33] Lord Mandelson: Shared with you by a Times subscriber.

Enjoy this article for free.

Who is Rob Jetten? The liberal vying to be the youngest Dutch PM

Morgan McSweeney stepped down on 8 February after several Labour MPs publicly blamed him for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US.

Lord Mandelson was sacked from that position in September over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, but new files suggested he shared confidential information with Epstein in 2009.

Less than 24 hours later, Sir Keir's communications director, Tim Allan, also quit just five months into the job.

Then Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar became the first senior Labour figure to call for the PM to go.

With two of his top aides gone in rapid succession and open calls for him to quit, the pressure on the prime minister to resign is mounting.

Sky News looks at how that could happen and who could be in the running to replace him.

How could Starmer be ousted?

Under Labour Party rules, a challenger, or challengers, must be nominated by at least 20% of Labour MPs (80 in the current parliament).

The challenger has to be an MP and Sir Keir, as Labour leader, would automatically be on the ballot paper.

A more realistic way Sir Keir could be ousted is if the Commons loses confidence in the PM.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch could table a vote of no confidence, which would require a simple majority voting with her.

However, it is rare for governments to be defeated in confidence motions, and Sir Keir could instead call a vote on a certain policy but use it as his own confidence vote.

Another tried-and-tested way to oust a prime minister is cabinet resignations, which was what happened to Boris Johnson.

The final option would be for Sir Keir to be under so much pressure he simply resigns.

Who could replace Starmer?

Angela Rayner

The former deputy prime minister remains popular with Labour members following a November poll suggesting 52% would vote for her and 33% for Sir Keir.

She remains a prominent figure in the party, despite resigning over her underpayment of stamp duty on a second home in Hove.

And her intervention in the debate that saved the government from defeat over the release of the Mandelson documents has increased her popularity.

But, the HMRC investigation into her tax affairs is ongoing and her leadership hopes could be thwarted if it is not concluded soon.

Wes Streeting

The health secretary has made no secret of his ambitions to replace Sir Keir over the past couple of months - despite allies insisting he has no intention to.

His charisma and ability to connect with the public have put him as a frontrunner.

However, Mr Streeting's close friendship with Lord Mandelson could prove detrimental to his leadership ambitions, given that is what could ultimately bring Sir Keir down.

Polling of Labour supporters for the LabourList website from 29 January to 3 February found Mr Streeting would lose against Sir Keir by 12 points.

Shabana Mahmood

The home secretary has risen quickly through the Labour ranks, having already served as justice secretary, and having been effectively endorsed by former prime minister Sir Tony Blair last year.

She has impressed the Labour leadership and is seen as a minister who gets things done - and efficiently.

However, with her tough stance on immigration, she could be seen as too right of the party - something Labour members are unlikely to be impressed by.

Ed Miliband

The former Labour leader made his cabinet comeback when Labour won in 2024 and he was made energy secretary.

He will likely be more popular than some of the others with Labour members as he is very much on the left of the party.

But, the LabourList polling found he would still lose against Sir Keir - still, only by three points.

He also has a black mark against him, having lost the 2015 general election to the Conservatives while leader.

Yvette Cooper

As foreign secretary, she is one of the most senior cabinet members - but her move from home secretary was seen as a downgrade.

She is very experienced, having served in Sir Tony and Gordon Brown's governments, and in Ed Miliband and Sir Keir's shadow cabinets.

Ms Cooper lost the 2015 Labour leadership to Jeremy Corbyn, which may count against her.

Al Carns

The newbie MP and former soldier is being tipped by a growing number of 2024 Labour MPs as a possible replacement for Sir Keir - partly through disillusionment with the other possible candidates.

He has never held a senior political role and has only been an MP for 18 months - however, both Sir Keir and Rishi Sunak were spoken about as future leaders soon after their entry to parliament.

Mr Carns' strong social media presence has also got him noticed by the public. A wild card, but one to watch.

John Healey

The steady-handed, reliable defence secretary is an experienced minister, having served under both Sir Tony and Gordon Brown.

He would be a continuity candidate and a safe pair of hands, but his closeness to Sir Keir and his moderate politics could work against him.

Andy Burnham

Greater Manchester's mayor may have had his leadership hopes already thwarted after Sir Keir blocked him from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

However, the Blair cabinet member could still make a comeback as an MP if another by-election cropped up - and Labour's national executive committee allowed him to stand.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton, who was targeted in the street near Brompton Barracks in Chatham, Kent, in July 2024, told Maidstone Crown Court on Monday he was grateful to be alive.

The assailant Anthony Esan, 25, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possessing two bladed weapons in January.

Lt Col Teeton tearfully told the court during the first day of an expected three-day sentencing hearing that he was "forever in gratitude" to the "heroes" who came to his aid during the attack in Sally Port Gardens.

The assault left him with a large wound to the right side of his neck, stab wounds to the front and back of his chest and abdomen, his lower abdomen, right groin, right upper arm and left thigh.

He said: "I still relive the incident in my mind; I actually think it is a blessing that I was unconscious for much of it as it means that I am unable to remember a large part of being attacked."

Lt Col Teeton, a serving officer for 26 years who has been on two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, praised those who helped him, including his wife Eileen, for their "courage".

"They are all heroes, and I am forever in gratitude to them," he said.

Wife stares down husband's attacker

Mrs Teeton stared down at Esan in court as she described how she had rushed to help a soldier on the ground before realising it was her husband.

"I watched horrified by his continued savage attack, and realised it was my husband on the ground," she said.

In her victim impact statement, Mrs Teeton said her husband asked her in hospital if people at work knew what he "tried to do to me".

When she asked what Esan had tried to do, he replied: "Cut my head off. Like Lee Rigby."

The off-duty soldier, 25, was killed by extremists in 2013 near the Royal Artillery Barracks in southeast London.

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Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC called the 2024 attack "vicious and deliberate", and told the court that Lt Col Teeton had been targeted because of his appearance as a soldier.

In the lead up to the attack, Esan had conducted online searches on knives, a terrorist attack that happened in West Africa and searched "Woolwich soldier murdered", which Ms Morgan said was a reference to the 2013 attack.

Ms Morgan said Esan had asked Lt Col Teeton if he could borrow his phone because his moped had broken down and he needed to call for assistance.

When Lt Col Teeton was distracted, Eras used two knives to inflict multiple stab wounds.

Esan had made several failed attempts to join the British Army, including in 2021 when he was rejected for "psychotic disorder" and eczema, after he was reported the year before to mental health services that he was hearing voices.

The sentencing continues.

It means the current spell of rain could continue into late February amid what is shaping up to be one of the wettest winters in years.

The news will be a particularly worrying for those living in the 109 areas of the country where flood warnings are in place.

Met Office senior operational meteorologist Simon Partridge said: "The weather is set to remain unsettled throughout the remainder of the week with further spells of wet and windy weather for many areas of the UK.

"With so much rain having already fallen over parts of the UK this year, many areas are sensitive to further rainfall. Therefore, further rainfall warnings are likely as the week progresses.

"There is currently no sign of any prolonged dry weather for the next seven to 10 days."

Meteorologists have blamed the wet weather on jet streams that have been further compounded by cold plunges in North America.

Some parts of the country are facing the highest levels of rain since records began.

Last week Reading hit 25 days of consecutive rain - the longest unbroken spell of rainfall ever recorded since the University of Reading began recording them in 1908.

The Environment Agency had issued 107 flood warnings across England by 4pm on Monday, while a further two were in place in Scotland, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

There were also 197 flood alerts in England, plus five in Wales and four in Scotland. A flood warning means flooding is expected, while an alert means flooding is possible.

The Environment Agency urged the public to "remain vigilant" and reassured residents that officers were working "around the clock" to clear any river blockages.

Flood Duty Manager Andrew Hitchings said: "With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.

"So far more than 16000 homes and business have been protected but sadly 300 have suffered flooding and our thoughts are with those communities affected.

"Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people, with pumps, temporary barriers and by clearing waterways to ensure flood water can drain away."

He also urged motorists not to drive through flood water, calling it "extremely dangerous".

A yellow weather warning is already in place for large parts of southern England and South Wales, lasting from noon on Monday until midnight. Up to 30mm of rain is predicted to fall in some places.

Affected areas include Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton and West Sussex.

In southwest England, areas include Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, with Cardiff, Swansea and Newport among affected areas in Wales.

See the weather forecast in your area

The Met Office said: "Bands of rain and heavy showers will move east across southern parts of England and Wales during Monday afternoon and evening.

"10-15mm of rain is likely fairly widely, with 20-30mm in some places exposed to the strong south to southeasterly winds."

The warning forecasts spray and flooding on roads "probably making journey times longer".

Bus and train services are likely be impacted, with flooding of a few homes and businesses possible, it added.

There will also be a chance of some interruption to power supplies and other services, the warning continued.

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The Met Office said on Thursday that rain had fallen every day of 2026 so far in southwest England and South Wales.

There had been 50% more rainfall than usual in both, the forecaster added.

Both areas had experienced a far wetter than average January.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said Monday's weather would be "much the same, with further spells of rain". The most persistent outbursts would be in the "far northeast of Scotland, especially Orkney and Shetland".

Mr Morgan warned that "outbreaks of fairly heavy rain [will be] pushing into Wales and the South West". "Rain could lead to some flooding in places," he said.

Brisk southeasterly winds would bring "large waves in places along the south coast".

The brightest weather would be across the Midlands and parts of the South East, which "should brighten up nicely by this afternoon and in any sunshine it will feel fairly mild for the time of year".

Nathan Bennett, 30, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of two charges of raping a child under 13, four of the sexual assault of a child under 13, and two charges of assault of a child under 13 by penetration.

Bennett, from Corston, near Bath, began working at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol in July 2024.

Concerns were raised in February 2025 when nursery manager Victoria Tutton viewed CCTV footage showing Bennett putting his hands down the trousers of a child.

Bennett was immediately sent home.

Avon and Somerset Police began an investigation which led to Bennett's arrest and the closure of the nursery in the centre of the city.

During four days of evidence, a jury heard how staff had noted that Bennett would sit children on his lap for lengthy periods of time, wear a pair of trousers with holes in the crotch area and seemed "territorial" over certain toddlers and their parents.

One nursery practitioner described how Bennett had a "jealous attachment" with five children and would "take control of them".

Speaking outside Bristol Crown Court, Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Nathan Bennett was trusted to care for children but committed sexual offences against the very young children at his place of work.

"An investigation involving such young children was deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned."

During the trial, video interviews of two children in the case - referred to as Child A and Child E - were played to the jury.

Child E's mother also gave evidence, telling the jury her son had demonstrated how he'd been abused at the nursery.

"I got him to stop doing it. I asked him when did that happen. He said it happened at nursery," she said.

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The child had identified the abuse was carried out by a man with the watch - the mother told the court they "immediately" knew who he was talking about as Bennett wore a smart watch which Child E "really liked".

Bennett had previously pleaded guilty to 13 other charges relating to four of the five victims, who were aged two at the time, including charges of sexual assault.

Giving evidence during the trial, Bennett said he was exposed to "a lot of sexual activity on myself" when he was a child.

While he accepted that the contact between him and the toddlers was sexual, he denied having a sexual attraction to them.

"As I stated I think already, it was emulating what I had experienced as a child - presuming it was to make them happy and feel better," said Bennett.

Prosecutor Virginia Cornwall described the case as "every parent's nightmare".

"He has admitted his sexual interest, that the Crown says, he has in pre-school-age boys, toddlers, essentially two and three years of age, by his partial guilty pleas to some of the charges in this case," she said.

The defendant previously pleaded guilty to 13 other charges, including eight charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, four charges of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Bennett abused his position of trust at the nursery in the most shocking and appalling way imaginable. Child sexual abuse can have lifelong impact on children and their loved ones, and our thoughts are with all the families caught up in this horrific case. It is vital they receive the support they need to process what they have experienced and move forwards with their lives."