I need to clarify several important facts about this question, as it appears to be based on misleading or unverified claims:
What actually happened:
Keir Starmer did appoint Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States in December 2024, with Mandelson serving from February to September 2025.
Mandelson was dismissed in September 2025 primarily due to revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—not Russia links. The dismissal followed publication of emails showing Mandelson had called Epstein his "best pal" even after Epstein's conviction.
en.wikipedia.org
Starmer later apologized to Epstein's victims, stating he had not known the "depth and darkness" of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein when making the appointment.
www.rnz.co.nz
Regarding "Russia links":
Mandelson did have a controversial 2008 meeting with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska aboard Deripaska's yacht off Corfu while Mandelson was Business Secretary—a relationship that drew criticism at the time.
www.rferl.org
news.sky.com
However, I cannot verify credible evidence of recent MI6 warnings specifically about Mandelson's "Russia links" that should have prevented his 2024 ambassadorial appointment. Some social media posts and unverified claims have circulated about MI6 vetting concerns, but official sources indicate standard Foreign Office vetting was conducted.
news.sky.com
Important context:
Keir Starmer became Prime Minister in July 2024 after Labour won the general election—he was not in government prior to this date and therefore could not have received or ignored MI6 briefings about Mandelson before becoming PM.
en.wikipedia.org
The controversy that actually led to Mandelson's dismissal centered on his Epstein connections, not Russia links.
www.pbs.org
The premise of your question—that MI6 warned about Mandelson's Russia links and Starmer somehow failed to know about it when making the appointment—does not align with verified facts from authoritative sources. Be cautious of unverified claims circulating on social media about this matter.
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