Concerns have been raised regarding how Lord Peter Mandelson managed to clear the selection process to stand as a candidate for Oxford University’s chancellor position.
This follows reports that the former associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did not pass his security clearance before assuming the prominent US ambassadorial post in February 2025.
It is believed Lord Mandelson was refused clearance in January 2025, however the prime minister had already finalized Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador by that point.
Foreign Office officials exercised a rarely invoked power to reverse the conclusion reached by security personnel, allowing him to obtain the position.
Downing Street subsequently acknowledged the report, but stated Sir Keir Starmer was unaware Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting until earlier this week.
Lord Mandelson was among the leading contenders for Oxford University’s chancellor position in 2024, finishing fourth in the contest which was ultimately won by William Hague.
Although in 2024 the complete nature of his connection with Epstein remained undisclosed, it was widely recognized they had maintained a friendship for numerous years beforehand.
Oxford University has been questioned regarding how Lord Mandelson was permitted to be a leading candidate in the chancellor election, what screening measures exist to prevent candidates with compromising backgrounds from taking part, and why he was able to advance as far as he did in the process.
In a statement to this publication, Oxford University said: “The election for the University of Oxford’s Chancellor was conducted under the university’s published regulations, and all applications were considered solely against the exclusion criteria, which are:
“(a) the Chancellor cannot be a current student of the University,
“(b) the Chancellor cannot be an employee of the University,
“(c) the Chancellor cannot be a serving member of, or a declared candidate for election to, an elected legislature, and
“(d) the Chancellor must not be disqualified from acting as a charity trustee under section 178 of the Charities Act 2011 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification) and must meet the HMRC ‘fit and proper person’ test as set out in the regulations.
“For this election, the university published the role description and candidates could apply directly online.
“This meant that any eligible individuals, including alumni from around the world, could put themselves forward.
“In total 38 candidates were considered eligible under the process, with voting conducted online by the University’s Convocation (alumni and eligible staff).”
Lord Mandelson’s relationship with financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was first made public in 2019.
Following his appointment as US ambassador, information surfaced indicating Lord Mandelson had maintained his friendship with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child sex offenses.
He was subsequently dismissed by the Prime Minister, who stated the true nature of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein differed substantially from what he had been led to believe when the appointment received approval.
Subsequent reports indicated Lord Mandelson may have shared sensitive government information with Epstein during 2009 and 2010.
Lord Mandelson subsequently left the Labour Party and gave up his seat in the House of Lords, and the Metropolitan Police commenced an investigation into the allegations.