Second batch of Mandelson files to be published on Monday

Second batch of Mandelson files to be published on MondayJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJoe Pike,Politics investigations correspondentandGeorge WrightGetty ImagesThe second tranche of documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US will be published on Monday, three sources involved in the process have told the BBC.While Number 10 has refused to confirm the publication date, a government spokesperson said the latest batch "will be among the largest publications ever laid in Parliament". Lord Mandelson was sacked as ambassador last year after the emergence of new revelations about the extent of his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.In February, MPs voted to force the government to publish all papers relating to the appointment through a humble address, a parliamentary process.The government initially opposed the motion, arguing that it did not want to publish material that could damage national security or diplomatic relations.But in a last-minute compromise, the government agreed to first send sensitive documents to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), which would decide what could and could not be published.The first tranche of documents was published in March.They showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was advised that Lord Mandelson's relationship with Epstein posed a "general reputational risk" ahead of his confirmation as US ambassador.Sir Keir's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, also said he found the appointment of Lord Mandelson "weirdly rushed".The government spokesperson said they were "committed to complying with the Humble Address in full", adding: "That reflects the transparent and thorough process we have followed." The release of the documents comes as parliament returns on Monday after a week's recess.The government has insisted that all relevant documents will be published, exc...