Alastair Campbell asserts that while Peter Mandelson is a clever and capable political operator, he possesses a problematic tendency to be overly impressed by and drawn to individuals of extreme wealt

“But I think if there is a flaw, I think it is this this sense of really being impressed by, drawn to, attracted by people who are inordinately successful in in financial and cultural terms if you like.”

Rory Stewart believes that Peter Mandelson's close association with Jeffrey Epstein was a significant risk and ultimately led to his downfall as ambassador.

“I felt on this one that this was always going to be a risk. Um, I had no idea that Peter was quite as close to Epstein as these emails suggest that he that he was.”