Former cabinet minister says stepping down is ‘in best interests of the party’ as questions raised over historic payments

LORD MANDLESON has resigned his membership of the Labour Party, saying he does not want to cause “further embarrassment” following renewed controversy over his past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The former cabinet minister and one-time UK ambassador to the United States confirmed his decision in a letter to Labour’s general secretary after fresh documents released by the US Department of Justice appeared to reference him in connection with Epstein’s finances.

The files suggest that three payments of $25,000 — totalling $75,000, about £55,000 at today’s exchange rates — were allegedly made to Peter Mandelson in 2003 and 2004.

Lord Mandelson said he had “no record or recollection” of the transactions and believes the allegations may be false, but intends to investigate the matter himself.

In his resignation letter, he wrote that he felt “regretful and sorry” to be linked again to what he described as the “understandable furore” surrounding Epstein.

He added that stepping down from party membership was the responsible course of action while he reviewed the claims.

“I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the party and believe I am acting in its best interests.”

Ambassador role ended

Lord Mandelson had been appointed the UK’s ambassador to Washington by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December 2024.

However, he was removed from the post last year after earlier revelations about his past friendship and contact with Epstein, including emails showing communication after the financier’s 2008 conviction.

The latest release of files has also included photographs said to show Lord Mandelson alongside an unidentified woman. He said he could not place the location or circumstances of the images.

There is no suggestion that appearing in the documents or photographs indicates criminal wrongdoing.

‘Deep regret’

Earlier this weekend, Lord Mandelson reiterated his regret for ever having known Epstein and apologised “unequivocally” to the women and girls who suffered abuse.

“I want to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now,” he said.

Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, but investigations into his network of associates continue to generate political fallout on both sides of the Atlantic.

Labour has not yet issued a detailed statement beyond confirming it had received Lord Mandelson’s resignation.

Senedd committee says £58m spending cannot be properly scrutinised and calls for major overhaul

A SENEDD committee has raised serious concerns about the Welsh Government’s approach to international relations, warning that a lack of clear strategy and financial transparency is undermining Wales’s work on the global stage.

In a report published on Tuesday (Jan 28), the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee said confusion, fragmented planning and weak accountability have made it difficult to assess priorities, impact or value for money.

While the Committee acknowledged that Wales benefits from international goodwill, expertise and global connections, it said the absence of a coherent long-term strategy meant those strengths were not being used effectively.

The Committee has now set out a new framework, called Mission Cymru, which it says should guide future Welsh Governments and place international relations on a more stable and transparent footing.

Committee chair Delyth Jewell said the inquiry had uncovered widespread uncertainty about what the Welsh Government is trying to achieve internationally and how success is measured.

She said evidence presented to the Committee repeatedly highlighted confusion over government priorities and a lack of clarity around outcomes.

“As we enter a period of growing global instability, the need for clear and measurable principles for Wales’s international engagement has never been greater,” she said.

“Geography may place Wales at the edge of a continent, but our voice should never be marginal.”

£58m spend ‘cannot be scrutinised’

One of the most serious criticisms in the report relates to financial transparency.

The Committee said it has been unable to scrutinise more than £58 million allocated to international relations during the current Senedd term, despite repeated attempts over several years to obtain detailed information.

It said gaps in reporting, late updates and incomplete data have made it impossible to assess whether the funding has delivered tangible benefits for Wales or represented value for money.

As a result, the Committee said it remains unclear whether significant public investment in international activity has aligned with government priorities or achieved its intended outcomes.

Poor oversight and accountability

The report also criticises the Welsh Government for what it describes as weak ministerial accountability.

Although international relations sit within the First Minister’s portfolio, the Committee noted that the First Minister appears before it only once a year and has declined to attend other scrutiny sessions, including those examining budget matters.

The Committee also highlighted failures to keep the Senedd properly informed about key developments, including the signing or renewal of international agreements, and said records of Wales’s international arrangements remain incomplete.

It warned that poor transparency not only limits democratic scrutiny but risks undermining confidence in Wales’s international work.

Call for ‘Mission Cymru’

Looking ahead, the Committee is urging future Welsh Governments to adopt Mission Cymru—a set of twelve principles designed to provide a clear, long-term vision for Wales’s international relations.

The Committee said the framework would help bring greater focus, coherence and accountability to international activity, ensuring Wales’s global engagement delivers measurable benefits at home.

The full report, Mission Cymru: Principles for international relations, has been published by the Senedd.

ONE year into Donald Trump’s second presidency, the United States is navigating a period of significant domestic and international turbulence. Recent events—including heckling at a rally in Iowa, backlash over federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, stalled progress on acquiring influence in Greenland, persistent economic pressures, and delays in releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files—have raised questions about the administration’s direction and cohesion.

While President Trump and supporters highlight achievements such as economic growth initiatives and border security gains, polls show approval ratings in the low-to-mid 40s, with consumer confidence at its lowest since 2014. For Welsh and UK audiences, these developments carry potential repercussions for transatlantic trade, NATO alliances, and global stability.

Internal dissent visible at Iowa rally

On 27 January 2026, President Trump spoke at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, Iowa, focusing on the economy and positioning the visit as an early step in campaigning for November’s midterm elections. The event, however, was repeatedly interrupted by hecklers protesting rising costs, immigration policies, and other issues.

Trump described some demonstrators as “paid agitators” and credited law enforcement for their removal. Protesters outside chanted against ICE operations and called for the release of Epstein files. The incident occurred in a traditionally Republican-leaning state, underscoring growing frustration even among core supporters over affordability and policy delivery.

Administration officials have framed such disruptions as isolated, while critics point to them as signs of eroding base unity ahead of midterms that could reshape congressional control.

Minneapolis incidents spark bipartisan outrage

A focal point of recent controversy is the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and US citizen, by federal agents in Minneapolis on 24 January 2026. Pretti was killed during an encounter amid protests against immigration raids. Video evidence reviewed by multiple outlets shows him holding a phone—not a weapon—while being tackled.

Initial administration statements described Pretti as posing a threat, but later clarifications from the Department of Homeland Security indicated no weapon was brandished. The incident follows the earlier killing of Renée Good in similar circumstances, prompting protests and bipartisan calls for investigation.

President Trump has promised a “very honorable and honest investigation” and indicated a potential de-escalation of aggressive enforcement in Minnesota, including leadership changes. Supporters argue these operations target criminal elements and have reduced illegal crossings significantly. Critics, including civil liberties groups, highlight risks to citizens and a perceived overreach that has inflamed tensions.

For the UK, such domestic unrest could indirectly affect perceptions of US reliability in international partnerships.

Greenland gambit strains NATO ties

President Trump’s renewed interest in strategic access to Greenland—revived in early 2026—has met firm resistance from Denmark and Greenlandic authorities. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, suggesting enhanced US access without tariffs on certain European nations.

Details remain unclear, and Greenland’s government has reiterated that sovereignty is “not on the table.” Denmark has deployed additional forces to the territory in response to perceived pressure.

The episode echoes Trump’s 2019 proposal, which was dismissed as “absurd.” While the administration frames it as necessary for Arctic security against Russian and Chinese influence, allies view it as disruptive to NATO cohesion. For the UK, as a NATO member with Arctic interests, any strain on the alliance could complicate joint defense planning and raise questions about long-term transatlantic stability.

Economic pressures weigh on Households

US consumer confidence fell sharply in January 2026 to 84.5—the lowest since 2014—according to the Conference Board, driven by concerns over affordability, inflation, and job prospects. Respondents cited tariffs, high prices, and labour market uncertainty, with 20.8% saying jobs were “hard to get.”

President Trump’s approval on the economy hovers around 33-36% in recent polls, with overall job approval ranging from 38-42% (e.g., Civiqs: 39% approve, 57% disapprove; Reuters/Ipsos: 42% approve). The administration points to GDP growth, wage increases in some sectors, and initiatives like the “Great Healthcare Plan” to lower drug prices and premiums.

Tariffs, intended to protect domestic industries, have been blamed by economists for raising costs on everyday goods and contributing to supply chain issues. In rural areas like Iowa, farmers report challenges from trade disruptions. For Wales, potential US tariffs on European exports (including steel and agricultural products) could impact ports like Milford Haven or Welsh manufacturing, echoing Brexit-era trade frictions.

Epstein files delay fuels scrutiny

Bipartisan legislation (the Epstein Files Transparency Act) mandated the release of over two million Justice Department documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by 19 December 2025. As of late January 2026, less than 1% has been disclosed, with heavy redactions and no major new revelations on alleged co-conspirators.

The administration cites victim protection and ongoing reviews as reasons for the pace. Critics, including survivors’ advocates and some Republicans, accuse the Department of Justice of obstruction, renewing focus on Trump’s past association with Epstein (no wrongdoing alleged). The issue has become a distraction, with protests linking it to broader transparency concerns.

What this means for the Midterms and beyond

Trump’s second term has delivered on certain promises—such as border security enhancements and investments in technology and infrastructure—but faces headwinds from policy backlash, low consumer sentiment, and international friction. Approval ratings, while higher among Republicans, reflect broader dissatisfaction that could influence November 2026 midterms.

For the UK and Wales, implications include:

• Trade risks from tariffs or protectionist policies.
• NATO dynamics affected by US foreign policy approaches.
• Broader questions about US domestic stability influencing global leadership.

Presidencies often encounter early turbulence, and Trump has demonstrated resilience in the past. Whether these challenges mark a temporary phase or signal deeper shifts remains to be seen, but they underscore the interconnected nature of US politics and transatlantic relations.