Mandelson 'should never have been appointed'-Cooper

FOREIGN Secretary Yvette Cooper has suggested she was “angry” about the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington DC.

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The senior Cabinet minister also shrugged off suggestions it was weak for the Prime Minister to attack his domestic political opponents during a speech at a major international conference at the weekend.

Sir Keir Starmer's authority has been rocked in recent weeks by the controversies surrounding the appointments of Lord Mandelson and Lord Matthew Doyle despite their association with sex offenders, three departures from Downing Street, and a call from the Scottish Labour leader for him to resign.

Senior Labour women, including Baroness Harriet Harman, have suggested a “boys’ club” culture has contributed to the problems the Prime Minister has faced.