UK releases new documents on ex-US envoy Mandelson

Peter Mandelson was sacked as the UK ambassador to the United States last year. (AP: Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The UK government has published more than 1,000 new pages of documents relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

It is the second tranche of documents released on Lord Mandelson's role, which ended last year after the extent of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.

The fallout from the appointment has left Prime Minister Keir Starmer fighting for his job.

The UK government has published another batch of documents relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson, a friend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the country's ambassador to Washington.

Among the more than 1,000 pages of documents was a note from Mandelson to then UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy before his appointment, saying the government would “never regret” giving him the job.

The former minister was sacked as US ambassador last September when it emerged he had maintained contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sexual offences.

But the ongoing saga over his appointment has led to questions over Prime Minister Keir Starmer's judgement and leadership, prompting calls for him to resign.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Peter Mandelson with Jeffrey Epstein, in an undated photograph released by the US Department of Justice. (Reuters/US Justice Department)

An initial tranche of documents was released in March, which showed Sir Keir was warned of the risks of the appointment, not just from his ties to Epstein but over Lord Mandelson's previous resignations from government and his support for closer ties with China.

Fresh questions are being asked about the British prime minister's judgement in appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US.

The files released on Monday also included emails and text messages between Lord Mandelson and government ministers and advisers.

Police have asked for some documents to be withheld because they formed part of a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office.

The 72-year-old was arrested in February by detectives investigating allegations he passed sensitive government information to Epstein when he was a minister in the UK government a decade and a half ago.

He has been released without bail conditions as the police investigation continues.

Lord Mandelson does not face allegations of sexual misconduct.

The UK prime minister's position has weakened further since the furore over Lord Mandelson.

Peter Mandelson was sacked from