The Government is preparing to publish the first batch of documents relating to Lord Mandelson's vetting for the Washington ambassadorship on Wednesday afternoon, following Prime Minister's Questions.
Cabinet minister Darren Jones, regarded as one of Sir Keir Starmer's closest allies, is expected to deliver a statement to MPs once PMQs concludes, with the papers being released online simultaneously.
This initial tranche will detail the due diligence undertaken before the Labour peer's 2024 appointment as Britain's US ambassador.
The Cabinet Office has declined to comment on the publication timetable, though parliamentary sources have confirmed the expected schedule.
Conservative critics have accused the Prime Minister of deliberately scheduling the release to evade questioning, as neither Sir Keir nor his media team will face reporters about the files given the timing.
Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, attacked the decision, stating: "It's no wonder the Prime Minister wants to dodge questions. His fingers are all over this."
Keir Starmer is facing growing criticism over Lord Mandelson's appointment as Britain's ambassador to the US | PAMr Burghart further challenged Sir Keir's decision-making, adding: "He's already admitted that he knew about Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Epstein when he appointed him. Time and again his judgment has been found wanting."
The documents set for release will include correspondence between Cabinet Office, Downing Street and Foreign Office officials concerning Lord Mandelson, with specific references to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
MPs ordered the Government last month to disclose thousands of files relating to the peer's appointment, amid mounting questions about what ministers knew regarding his connections to the convicted paedophile financier.
A Commons motion demanded an extensive range of material be made public, including communications between Lord Mandelson and senior government figures that could prove politically damaging for the administration.
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Lord Mandelson was fired for his association with Jeffrey Epstein | THE SUNThe release follows several weeks of redactions, conducted with oversight from an independent panel comprising MPs and peers.
Following the Commons vote, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to ensure "urgency and transparency" and apologised for believing the peer's "lies" about the true extent of his relationship with Epstein.
Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee holds final authority over which documents are withheld, after ministers abandoned an initial proposal to grant the cabinet secretary control over redactions following resistance from Labour backbenchers.
The ISC has confirmed that a framework has been agreed with the Metropolitan Police to ensure released materials do not compromise the ongoing criminal inquiry.
Lord Mandelson was arrested on 23 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and remains under investigation, though his bail conditions have since been lifted.