UK diplomats fear Mandelson files ‘damaging’ for Trump relationship – POLITICO

An FCDO spokesperson told POLITICO that “the UK-US relationship is built on a foundation of our deep security, military and intelligence links, as well as our unique cultural and people-to-people ties.” The spokesperson added, “President Trump has been a steadfast supporter of the special and enduring relationship the US and UK have enjoyed for many years.”

National security exceptions

The ISC has specified that papers which are national security related should be sent to them unredacted, and the government should provide an explanation as to exactly why pieces of information are prejudicial.

“We believe the motion is clear that those papers which the government is required to provide to the ISC must be disclosed, unredacted, to the ISC,” the committee said in a letter to the PM and cabinet secretary. “The government may not decline to disclose any in scope material altogether”

Kevan Jones, chair of the committee, told the BBC that the panel would put “as much as possible in the public domain.”

One of Mandelson’s predecessors as ambassador, Kim Darroch, was forced to resign in 2019 over his criticism of Trump’s “dysfunctional” administration, made in confidential diplomatic cables that were made public. 

But both senior officials cited above made it clear that Mandelson may not have always used cables for his musings on Trump, instead often using email and texts.