PM can’t shift this vetting scandal stench
SIR KEIR Starmer’s gullibility over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal gets worse by the day.
It is bad enough that the PM expects us to believe he had no idea of the depth of the shamed peer’s relationship with a convicted paedophile.
But we now learn that multi-millionaire Epstein was central to Mandelson’s decision to buy an £8million Grade II-listed mansion in one of London’s most exclusive districts.
Mandy even asked his perverted pal if it was “all right” to take out a £4million loan to buy the property.
The purchase of this vast four-storey house alone, with its wine cellar and two-storey atrium next to Regent’s Park, should have triggered a sea of red flags.
At the vetting procedure for the US ambassador’s job did anybody think of asking Mandelson how the hell he managed to raise a £4million loan?
At the time he had left government and was in the process of setting up an international business consultancy.
Epstein had already made three $25,000 payments to Mandelson and sent cash to his husband.
The evil financier was completely enmeshed in Mandelson’s affairs.
Yet Sir Keir expects us to believe he accepted his denials about Epstein at face value.
If he was that credulous as Director of Prosecutions it’s a wonder anyone was ever locked up.
We need to know if Mandelson was questioned in detail about these financial affairs — and if not, why not.
Because until we get answers and action, the stink from this monstrous scandal will just keep getting worse.
Deadly mistakes
WHEN at least 27 people are killed in a Channel small boat disaster it is essential to find out what happened.
Last week’s Cranston Inquiry had spent more than two years and £7million assessing the evidence.
It pointed out many things which could have been done better on that night in November 2021 when so many lives were lost.
But despite any shortcomings the inquiry found at the UK end, one thing was blindingly obvious.
A French warship was 15 minutes away from the sinking boat while our coastguard was 40 minutes away.
If the French had done their job that night almost all those lives could and should have been saved.
