Rebecca Smith says Parliament debate on Mandelson “matters so deeply”

Conservative MP Rebecca Smith has said the release of documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador “matters so deeply” for survivors of sexual abuse.

Speaking to The Moorlander following the Commons debate on Wednesday 4 February, Ms Smith said she would be speaking at Reclaim the Night in Plymouth on Friday 6 February 2026, “standing with survivors and campaigners against sexual violence and with every woman and girl who deserves to feel safe. That is why what unfolded in Parliament tonight matters so deeply.”

Reclaim the Night is one of Plymouth’s most powerful annual events – a march that brings the community together to demand safety, dignity and freedom for women and girls.

Each year, hundreds of people take to the streets to challenge harassment, sexual violence, and the inequalities that restrict women’s lives.

Ms Smith said Conservative MPs had been pressing for months for the government to release files on Lord Mandelson’s appointment to Washington.

“This matters because it is not about political point scoring - it is about protecting women and girls and ensuring those responsible for serious abuse and those who attempted to cover it up are held to account,” she added.

She said the Prime Minister was aware of Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein before approving one of the UK’s most sensitive diplomatic appointments.

“For the women and girls in South West Devon and for survivors everywhere, this is not abstract politics. It is a failure of leadership that puts trust and safety at risk.”

While welcoming the government’s decision to release the files, she said: “Whilst I am relieved that the government will finally release the files, we must never forget the heinous crimes committed and those who attempted to cover them up. Women and girls deserve leaders who put their safety first and justice for victims must never be treated as optional.”

MPs had agreed earlier on Wednesday that ministers would be required to share papers connected to Lord Mandelson’s 2024 appointment.

Originally, the government intended to retain the power to block publication of documents deemed “prejudicial to UK national security or international relations.”

Following pressure from Conservative and Labour MPs, ministers agreed that sensitive material would instead be referred to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.

The Metropolitan Police subsequently requested that certain documents not be released immediately.

No Mandelson-related material has yet been published.