Scottish Secretary thanked Mandelson for help with bid to become MP

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander thanked Peter Mandelson for his support in a selection contest to become Labour candidate for his constituency, newly-released documents reveal.

The government has published more than 1,000 pages of documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US.

The papers include messages between Lord Mandelson and ministers, exchanging advice and news - as well as criticism of the No 10 operation, Labour MPs and the prime minister himself.

Among them are files which confirm Alexander was in regular contact with Mandelson ahead of his appointment as the UK's ambassador to the United States.

They show Alexander consulting Mandelson on politics and seeking his advice on policy.

And in messages just after the 2024 general election, Alexander appears to credit Lord Mandelson with his return to parliament as MP for Lothian East, referencing support over several years.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson in December 2024, but sacked him nine months later after new details about his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein emerged.

Last month, Alexander said Mandelson "should not have been appointed". But following Mandelson's appointment in December 2024, Alexander messaged saying it was "good news for you, for the government and for the country".

In June of that year, a week before the general election that put Labour in power, Alexander discussed the upcoming vote in Scotland.

"We could be in the range of c20-32 seats depending on field ops and how they break," Alexander wrote. "There's v little enthusiasm for Labour but a quiet determination to secure change which is our greatest ally."

On 7 July, three days after the election, and following his appointment as Trade Minister, Alexander wrote to Mandelson saying: "You probably don't realise quite how influential you've been in this whole improbable journey.

"From your initial encouragement two years ago this month 'Douglas… you're going to have to become all Laboury again!' to your quiet and effective support when Gordon came out for [redacted] in the selection… I won't forget any of it.

"And yes, of course I would value your counsel on trade. Hope we can speak soon. In gratitude and appreciation, Douglas."

It isn't clear who the "Gordon" referred to in the message is, but the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown publicly backed Alexander and Kirsty McNeill, who now serves as junior Scotland Office minister, for the twinned selections in Lothian East and Midlothian.

Scottish Labour holds twinned selections to ensure a balance of male and female candidates.

A Scottish Labour source told BBC News that Lothian East was seen as the more winnable of the two seats, and said Gordon Brown was anxious for McNeill - who worked as a Downing Street adviser during his premiership - to emerge on top in the selection contest.

Following his appointment, Mandelson was also congratulated by the then Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, who messaged him: "Congratulations your excellency. What a wonderful appointment."

Responding to publication of the files, SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan claimed the Labour party "has serious questions to answer about why it gave Jeffrey Epstein's friend such a powerful role in the UK government, and allowed the scandal-plagued peer to wield such influence, despite it being a matter of public record that he maintained his close friendship with the convicted paedophile and had repeatedly been forced to resign from office in the past."

The Scottish Greens said the files "expose a rotten culture at the heart of Keir Starmer's Labour government" and the public deserves "full transparency".

Gordon Brown and Douglas Alexander have been approached for comment.