The release of the much-awaited second tranche of documents on Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador is being delayed until at least next month, MPs have been told.
The government has been under pressure to release all the documents.
Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs select committee Dame Emily Thornberry said obstacles were being put in the way of investigations into the appointment.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour’s candidate in the forthcoming by-election in Makerfield, Greater Manchester – the next step in his plan to replace Sir Keir Starmer as party leader.
New polling has shown the Greater Manchester mayor – who needs to become an MP before he can challenge the prime minister – is the preferred candidate for the top job among Labour members and would win a leadership contest.
YouGov found that 59 per cent said they would back Mr Burnham while only 37 per cent would support Sir Keir Starmer.
The Independent has revealed that allies of Sir Keir have warned that Mr Burnham could bring back former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled in 2024 in a row over antisemitism.
CPI falls to 2.8 per cent
The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.8 per cent in April from 3.3 per cent in March, the Office for National Statistics said.
Experts say the drop came from a fall in household energy bills which offset a jump in fuel prices – but warned of turbulence ahead as the Iran energy price shock “catches up” with the cost of living.
Nicole Wootton-Cane20 May 2026 07:19
Top ‘Blue Labour’ members turn on Burnham over Brexit and back Mahmood
Senior figures in Blue Labour turn on Burnham over Brexit
Maurice Glasman, founder of the influential Blue Labour movement, has offered his backing to home secretary Shabana Mahmood as the party’s next leader Jane Dalton20 May 2026 07:00
Watch: Starmer ally says ‘unnecessary’ by-election is risk
Government ‘creating obstacles’ over Mandelson investigation
In case you missed it:
Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Dame Emily Thornberry said obstacles were being put in the way of her committee and the International and Security Committee (ISC), who are trying to “get to the truth” of Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment.
Dame Emily said she was disappointed at the answer that the Government have given to the ISC.
She added: “It is very important that the public know and understand that we are learning from the mistakes that were clearly made, and we cannot know that those lessons have been learned unless they are checked.
“And the committees in this House, my committee and the ISC, are trying our best to get to truth of this, and we are having obstacles put in our way.”
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the documents had been referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee.
“What has not been referred was the raw data collected as part of interviews undertaken with Peter Mandelson, which in any circumstance we wouldn’t share in any in relation to any appointment.”
Candidates announced so for for key by-election
Several parties have announced their candidates for the the Makerfield by-election in what is expected to be a two-horse race between Labour and Reform UK.
So far, these are the candidates announced:
- Andy Burnham, Labour
- Robert Kenyon, Reform UK
- Rebecca Shepherd, Restore Britain
- Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope, the Monster Raving Loony Party
The Tories, the Greens and the Lib Dems have yet to name their candidates, but have confirmed that they will be standing in the Manchester seat.
Labour MPs ‘to urge ministers to scrap migration reforms’
Labour MPs ‘to urge ministers to scrap migration reforms’ if net migration drops
Labour MPs will use an expected fall in net migration to pile pressure on the Home Office to reverse its plans for further immigration reformsJane Dalton20 May 2026 02:00
Labour’s credibility in government at stake, minister warns party
The credibility of Labour in government is at stake, the defence secretary has warned, as he praised Sir Keir Starmer.
John Healey said he did not care about “photo ops or PR firms”, in an apparent swipe at leadership hopefuls jockeying within Labour.
He said: “We must not lose sight now of the duty people gave us in 2024. The special opportunity of government. We must not throw away so lightly the power we were given.
“I don’t care about photo ops or PR firms. Politics – to me – is not about the individual. People will not forgive us if they think we’re more concerned about ourselves than we are about them.
“And I say to my colleagues what Michael Gove once said: that ‘we govern by consent’. Through the way we behave, the change we deliver, the trust with the public.
“And right now, the very credibility of Labour in government is at stake.
“We must get serious. It’s not about us, not about the insiders of politics, it’s about the interests of the country. We must be a government that steers Britain through the conflicts and looming crises we face, and be a party that manages ourselves in a constructive, well ordered way.”
Labour has turned in on itself, says defence secretary
Defence secretary John Healey said Labour had “turned in on ourselves” over a “tough” 10 days.
“These have been a difficult few weeks. Politics is fracturing. Communities are struggling. Wars are raging. People are worried,” he said.
“Our world is changing, fast. It is less predictable, more dangerous, with rising demands on defence.
“For Labour, the last 10 days has been tough. We’ve lost many hundreds of good councillors across the country.
“We’ve turned in on ourselves.”
Watch: Ex-Labour leader in Wales calls for Starmer to go
Politics Explained: Why rising unemployment means more bad news – whoever is in No 10
Why rising unemployment means more bad news – whoever is in No 10
Britain is heading closer to stagflation unless the global economic picture improves, as Sean O’Grady explainsJane Dalton19 May 2026 21:15NewerOlder