UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has made public his correspondence with former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, now Lord Mandelson, in an effort to demonstrate that their relationship was not overly familiar.

The disclosed messages, which date back to March 2025, reveal Streeting's concerns about his electoral prospects, with him expressing doubt about his chances, as well as his criticism of the government's economic policies, or lack thereof.

In a piece published in the Guardian, Streeting explained that he chose to release the messages in response to recent allegations suggesting he was withholding information, which he denies.

Regarding Lord Mandelson's appointment, Streeting acknowledged that, at the time, he viewed it as a positive development, although he concedes that he did not fully consider the implications of the appointment or Lord Mandelson's past record.

According to Streeting's team, all private communications between Streeting and Lord Mandelson, spanning from six months prior to Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 up to the present, have been released.

According to a report initially broken by Sky News, the two individuals in question maintained periodic communication, exchanging messages at intervals of several months.

The tone of these exchanges is often affable, with some messages featuring a casual "x" symbol, typically used to represent a kiss.

In an article published in the Guardian, Streeting clarified his relationship with Peter Mandelson, stating that while they were not close friends, he acknowledges their actual connection and will not disavow it.

Lord Mandelson's tenure as UK ambassador to Washington came to an end last year, and he recently resigned from the Labour party due to his associations with the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex offenses.

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into Lord Mandelson, focusing on alleged misconduct in public office; the BBC reports that he denies any criminal wrongdoing, citing a lack of financial motivation.

According to Streeting, he and Mandelson would meet for dinner about once a year, typically in a group setting, where Mandelson would offer guidance. Streeting's partner had previously worked under Mandelson 25 years prior, which allowed Streeting to develop a closer acquaintance with him than with other politicians of the same generation.

The disclosed text messages reveal Streeting's concerns that Labour was facing significant electoral challenges, as voters lacked a compelling reason to back the party. Additionally, he expressed criticism of the government, stating that it lacked a coherent strategy for growth.

A conversation between the two began in March 2025, focusing on Matthew Doyle, who had recently departed his position as director of communications for Sir Keir Starmer.

Mandelson inquired about the circumstances surrounding Doyle's departure, asking why he was "pushed out".

Streeting responded with uncertainty, saying "God knows", to which Mandelson countered that the government's issues were not rooted in its communication efforts.

Streeting expressed concurrence, stating "quite".

Streeting subsequently voiced his concern about potentially losing his parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election.

He expressed his apprehension, saying "I fear we're in big trouble here – and I am toast at the next election.

Streeting noted that the party had lost its safest ward in Redbridge, which has a 51% Muslim population, located in Ilford South, to an independent candidate from Gaza, and warned that at this rate, Labour might not retain either of the two Ilford seats.

In a comment that appeared to critique Sir Keir's leadership indirectly, Streeting observed that there was no clear response to the question of what the Labour party stands for, asking "why Labour?"

Following French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement in July 2025 to formally recognize a Palestinian state, Streeting reached out to Lord Mandelson for guidance in a series of messages.

Streeting expressed his view that aligning with France on this matter was necessary, stating that it was the right course of action both morally and politically.

He further emphasized the importance of taking a proactive stance, noting that a Commons vote on recognition was anticipated in September and that failure to do so would likely result in defeat, making it impossible for individuals like himself or Shabana Mahmood to abstain or vote against the motion.

In response, Lord Mandelson cautioned that premature recognition could potentially undermine a two-state solution, suggesting that Israel might seize upon unilateral recognition as a pretext to annex more of the West Bank.

Streeting countered that Israel was already taking such actions, characterizing its behavior as that of a rogue state, and argued that the country should face consequences, including sanctions, for its actions, rather than just its individual ministers being held accountable.

According to the health secretary, discontent is widespread among Labour MPs, potentially leading to widespread resignations across all levels of government due to the current issue at hand.

Lord Mandelson responded by stating that if such events were to occur, it would likely lead the public to question the government's fitness to hold office.

Last September, Sir Keir made the announcement that the UK would formally recognize Palestine as a state, citing the ongoing construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which contravene international law, as a primary motivator for this decision.

This move was met with strong opposition from various quarters, including the Israeli government, families of hostages being held in Gaza, and certain members of the Conservative party.

In an article published in the Guardian, Streeting clarified that he had no involvement in the 2024 decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as ambassador, and at the time, he, like many others, viewed the appointment as a positive development.

He noted that his assessment of the situation was focused on whether it would have a positive impact on the relationship with a key ally at a pivotal time.

Streeting described the appointment as a "scandal", expressing concern that the candidate's ties to a convicted sex offender did not carry sufficient weight in the decision-making process.

He also reflected on the inaction of those who were aware of the situation but failed to speak out strongly enough to sway the decision, acknowledging that he himself was among this group.

According to him, the government's response must extend beyond revising vetting procedures to address the broader issue of how proximity to power has long shielded influential and well-connected individuals from accountability for their misconduct towards women and girls.

Streeting's release of his text messages with Lord Mandelson serves multiple purposes, all of which are linked to his goal of becoming the next prime minister.

In an effort to establish his independence, he is seeking to create some distance between himself and the former ambassador, aiming to dispel rumors that his association with Lord Mandelson could jeopardize his future leadership aspirations.

With the prime minister's position uncertain, he is taking steps to alleviate concerns among potential backers on the backbenches, believing that transparency is key to addressing any doubts about his character.

By taking a proactive stance, Streeting aims to showcase his confidence and decisiveness as a politician, potentially drawing a distinction between his approach and the more cautious tendencies of the current prime minister.

Additionally, the health secretary likely hopes to connect with Labour MPs by acknowledging shared concerns, such as economic worries and constituency challenges, while also expressing enthusiasm for meeting influential figures like US Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg.

The views expressed in his messages are likely to resonate with Labour members, who will ultimately play a crucial role in selecting the party's next leader, suggesting that his perspectives align with those of his potential supporters.

A key aspect of Streeting's efforts was his campaign for the UK to acknowledge a Palestinian state, a stance that preceded Sir Keir's similar shift in position.

Streeting's team has addressed allegations of selective messaging by stating that the released WhatsApp exchanges comprise all communications between the two individuals from six months prior to Lord Mandelson's appointment up to Monday.

Notably, the disclosure does not include WhatsApp group conversations, as obtaining consent from other participants would be necessary; instead, these group messages will be submitted to the Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, according to Streeting's allies.

The messages contain moments that may be perceived as awkward, such as the exchange of kisses between Lord Mandelson and Streeting.

Nevertheless, the content of the messages is not damaging enough to hinder a potential leadership bid, and the health secretary aims to demonstrate his rapid progress.

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