Angela Rayner was branded a 'destabilising' figure by Mandelson, files reveal

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE and GETHIN HICKS, REPORTER Published: 23:59, 1 June 2026 | Updated: 23:59, 1 June 2026 Angela Rayner was branded a 'destabilising' figure within the government in one of the few references made to the former Deputy Prime Minister in the Peter Mandelson files.  In May last year, Lord Mandelson claimed that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown 'has it in for Keir', adding that the ex-premier 'doesn't seriously believe that Angela is an alternative but she is an instrument of destabilisation.' Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden accused Ms Rayner of 'manoeuvring' against Sir Keir in the same text exchange, adding: 'Doesn't feel good for Keir.' Ms Rayner was also criticised by Mr McFadden for being 'notably silent' at an 'away day' designed to shore up Sir Keir Starmer's position. The former Housing Secretary played a key role in pushing the government to publish the Mandelson files when the Conservatives forced a vote in February. The more than 1,500 pages of material which were released on Monday offered a stark glimpse into the chaos which has ensued behind the scenes in Starmer's government. Mandelson and ministers were exposed as having discussed how things 'don't look good' for the PM, while staff at No10 were branded 'sub-optimal'.  Wes Streeting - until recently the health secretary and now a leadership hopeful - was described by Mandelson as sending a 'wild long hysterical message' criticising Israel.  Angela Rayner (pictured in May) was branded a 'destabilising' figure within the government in one of the few references made to the former Deputy Prime Minister in the Peter Mandelson files  The release of the second tranche of files relating to Mandelson's appointment sparked chaos in the Labour government  And the carnage within Labour was foreshadowed by a handwritten note from Mandelson to then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the end of 2024, saying Sir Keir would 'never regret' appointing him as US ambassador. Lammy however later apologised for his part in Mandelson's appointment and, in a letter sent to MP Emily Thornberry, revealed that he suggested Tory councillor George Osborne for the role.   Lammy said: 'I suggested George Osbourne should be considered on any shortlist given his close links with senior Republican figures.' The Labour politician also suggested David Miliband, Dame Valerie Amos and Dame Cathy Ashton as possible candidates for the role. The release of the second tranche of files relating to the appointment was later branded an 'embarrassment' for Sir Keir, who kept a decidedly low profile yesterday before being pictured in the back of an Audi near Mandelson's Regent's Park home in the evening.  Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater Joe Powell called on the government to learn its lessons after Andy Burnham launched a scathing criticism on X.  In the wake of the files' release the Mayor of Manchester, who has been tipped to succeed Sir Keir, wrote: 'Today's revelations will further damage people's confidence in our political system. 'When I left Westminster 10 years ago, I did so in the belief that it needed fundamental culture change. I remain of that view and believe that change can't come soon enough.  'People have lost faith in a Westminster system which puts private vested interests above the wider public interest and concentrates too much power in too few hands.  'We urgently need a national politics which, rather than looking past places like Makerfield, properly works for them. We need a new political culture that is rooted in accountability and a genuine focus on the priorities of working people.  'If we are serious about restoring trust in politics, we must rebuild a system where public service is at the heart of decision-making.'  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.