Darren Jones is facing criticism for sending sympathetic messages to Peter Mandelson after he was dismissed due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted pedophile.
The messages, which were not part of the recent release of Mandelson files, were revealed after Jones publicly apologized to Epstein’s victims. In one message, Jones praised Mandelson’s work and expressed disappointment over his termination, hinting at his own aspirations for a promotion.
Jones, who oversees the Cabinet Office and managed the Mandelson files’ release, has been defending against accusations of withholding certain messages. He explained that some messages may have been lost due to device changes or disappearing message settings.
In the messages published by the Spectator magazine, Jones expressed regret over Mandelson’s dismissal and discussed various government matters with him, including potential Cabinet reshuffles and departmental preferences. Additionally, he criticized Government advisers and expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of certain departments.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, expressed unease about Jones’s messages to Mandelson but noted that Jones had publicly acknowledged his regrets and addressed the situation in Parliament. Rigby emphasized the broader issue of gender dynamics highlighted by the Epstein scandal, expressing anger over the involvement of powerful individuals.
Jones clarified in Parliament that some messages may have been lost or not backed up due to technical reasons. He later apologized for treating the situation differently due to Mandelson’s influence and power within the Labour Party, acknowledging his own benefit from their relationship.
The incident sparked discussions in Parliament, with former Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones questioning the appointment of Mandelson and urging reflection on lessons learned from the Epstein scandal. Jones admitted to potential biases in his treatment of Mandelson and pledged to take corrective actions.