Mandelson criticised Starmer’s lack of ‘verve’ and tendency to buckle under pressure

Criticisms revealed in major release of files relating to Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to US Analysis: Mandelson files reveal Labour party is riddled with doubts and infighting Peter Mandelson exchanged WhatsApp messages with a senior cabinet minister criticising Keir Starmer’s lack of “verve” and tendency to buckle under pressure, suggesting the prime minister should behave in a more “Trumpian” fashion. The former US ambassador said No 10 was “beleaguered and bereft” and that the public were “crying out for leadership”. In another exchange, he described both the advisers and policy coming out of No 10 as “rubbish in, rubbish out”. In other exchanges included in a significant release of files on Monday, he accused former prime minister Gordon Brown of trying to undermine Starmer to the advantage of the then deputy PM, Angela Rayner – and suggested former health secretary Wes Streeting was “hysterical” over Gaza and having a “mid-life crisis”. The exchanges – many with the work and pensions secretary, Pat McFadden – show extensive discussions of the party’s strategy, including Mandelson’s view that businesses were losing confidence