Ed Miliband: I Feared Mandelson Appointment Would ‘Blow Up’ and Agreed It Was Wrong

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has admitted he feared Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador would “blow up” and agreed the decision was wrong, while defending Sir Keir Starmer against resignation calls over the vetting scandal.

Miliband: “I Was Worried About It”

Mr Miliband told Sky News he had a conversation with then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy before the appointment and said he was worried it could go wrong. He added: “I think he was worried about it too.”

“You’re Saying He Should Never Have Been Appointed and I Agree With You”

When pressed on Mandelson’s Epstein links, lobbying ties to Chinese and Russian companies, and his record of being sacked twice from government, Miliband replied: “You’re saying he should never have been appointed and I agree with you.”

Defends Starmer Against Resignation Calls

Miliband said Starmer should not resign, arguing: “Prime ministers make errors. Prime ministers are fallible. Prime ministers are human.” He added that if every prime minister resigned over a mistake, “we would shuttle through prime ministers like nobody’s business”.

• Miliband feared appointment would “blow up”
• Agreed decision was wrong due to Epstein links and foreign ties
• Had concerns conversation with David Lammy before appointment
• Defends Starmer: “Prime ministers make mistakes”
• Scandal adds to pressure on Starmer ahead of May elections

Reform UK: Labour Chaos Deepens

Reform UK has led calls for Starmer’s resignation from the start. Nigel Farage described the affair as “blatant dishonesty” and a cover-up. The party says Miliband’s admission proves even senior Labour figures knew the appointment was a disaster yet it was forced through anyway.

What This Means for Britain

This latest twist shows Labour is tearing itself apart over a national security scandal while the country faces £2,000 energy bills, record small boat crossings and a cost-of-living crisis. Even senior ministers like Ed Miliband admit the Mandelson appointment was wrong – yet Starmer pushed it through regardless.

Reform UK’s message is clear: Britain needs honest leadership that puts national security and British interests first. With local elections weeks away, voters can reject Labour’s chaos and back the only party that will deliver real accountability and strong borders.

Share if you believe Ed Miliband just admitted Starmer made a huge mistake on Mandelson.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by The Independent. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.