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Order. Order.

Hello there, I'm Alicia McCarthy, and this is today in Parliament from BBC Radio 4 for Monday the 1st of June.

Whereas hundreds of documents and messages about Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador are released,

the Conservatives want to know why there's so little mention of the Prime Minister.

It is as though somehow he appointed Peter Mandelson as ambassador without leaving any

documentary trace of that decision at all.

Also tonight, MPs are told a long-awaited strategy document will finally come out in the

next few weeks. The Prime Minister is determined that we publish the Defence Investment Plan

before the NATO summit. And... I'd have to say there were utter disaster. The verdict of Alan Bates

on compensation measures for victims of the post office IT scandal.

A second batch of documents relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington have been released,

revealing messages in which he says the government doesn't do policy well enough,

and describing the number 10 operation as beleaguered and bereft

and requiring a complete revamp. Sakea Stama appointed Peter Mandelson in 2024, but sacked him

nine months later after new details emerged about his relationship with the convicted paedophile

Jeffrey Epstein.

Following opposition demands, a first set of documents about the decision to appoint him were released in March. Today, more were published. The chief secretary to the Prime Minister

Darren Jones outlined what was in them. Whilst the first tranche dealt with Peter

Manderson's appointment, withdrawal and severance.

This second tranche responds to the parts of the motion which requested communications and documents concerning his appointment and betting, as well as messages between Peter

Mandelson and ministers, special advisers and civil servants in the month prior to and throughout

...