A secret memo suggesting Lord Peter Mandelson urged Sir Tony Blair to meet Jeffrey Epstein while he was Prime Minister has been blocked by officials.
Britain's Ambassador to the US is understood to have encouraged Sir Tony to meet Epstein in a 2002 note sent to key aides.
It was advice that was passed on to Sir Tony when he was Prime Minister.
While documents were due to be made public as part of a standard National Archives being released, it was blocked, according to The Times.
It is believed officials found that it could embarrass Britain and harm relations with the US at at time when Lord Mandelson is looking to build relations with Donald Trump.
Mr Trump has also faced criticism for his alleged relationship with Epstein.
Lord Mandelson has admitted he regrets and his embarrassed by his past association with the convicted paedophile.
He also expressed his regret about the connection continuing for too long.
Lord Mandelson is considered by Sir Keir Starmer to be playing a key role in UK-US relations
| GETTYIt comes as leaked emails published on Wednesday revealed that the US Ambassador urged Epstein to fight for early release.
Sir Keir Starmer has been questioned about his judgment in appointing Lord Mandelson as the Ambassador.
He has refused to commit to releasing all documents regarding Lord Mandelson's connection with Epstein.
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday Sir Keir was challenged by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.
Sir Keir Starmer has been questioned during PMQs about Lord Peter Mandelson
|GETTY
Sir Keir said he had "full confidence" in the US Ambassador, saying he played an "important role in the UK-US relationship".
The Prime Minister was asked about releasing all documents relating to Lord Mandelson's links to Epstein with Sir Keir saying "that is subject to a procedure which includes an independent element".
The Government is holding back details of the attempt by Lord Mandelson to form a meeting between Sir Tony and Epstein.
Lord Mandelson was a backbench Labour MP at the time, but was a high-profile figure, having twice resigned from the Cabinet.
It is alleged he wrote to Sir Tony in May 2002 asking the then-Prime Minister to meet Epstein, who was going to be in London.
Lord Mandelson is claimed to have said the meeting would help Sir Tony as Epstein had business interests and connections which he said were "safe" for the Prime Minister.
It is unclear if Sir Tony ever met with Epstein as a result of the request, coming years before allegations of sex abuse against the convicted paedophile became public in 2006.
The memo was due for release in July, alongside an official summary of Lord Mandelson's advice - under rules allowing Government papers to be made public after 20 years.
But, the documents remain secret.
It is believed that an “international relations” exemption was handed down, allowing for the documents to be withheld from release, considering it could harm UK interests.
Recommendations are reviewed by an advisory committee of senior lawyers and academics who have the power to decide on whether documents are made public or not.
The committee does not see the documents and often side with government recommendations.