Bringing Mandelson in was seen as a smart move

Labour grandee for the plum Washington role was always going to be risky given his past track record of controversies, including his close friendship with the paedo-phile Jeffrey Epstein.

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But bringing in Mandelson was also seen as being a smart move — his ability to charm and schmooze earning him the moniker “Silver Tongue” from the Republican former president George W Bush.

Sir Keir desperately needed the ear of the notoriously volatile president. What he got, for nine eventful months, was a consummate “Trump Whisperer”.