A Labour peer has told Premier Christian News revelations over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US are a “betrayal” of “hard-working councillors, MPs and mayors”.

Marvin Rees, who is a Christian, said he was “incredibly angry” and felt as though he was “playing chequers in a world of chess” because the party had become a platform for individual aspirations.

He was speaking after thousands of pages of texts, emails and WhatsApp messages were published in the latest tranche of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment and role at the heart of the government. Sir Keir Starmer chaired a Cabinet meeting after the documents revealed divisions in the Labour Party, including accusations from Mandelson that the Prime Minister’s team was "beleaguered and bereft".

Lord Rees said it was unedifying that while ordinary politicians had been trying to tackle issues, “another dynamic” had been at play in which “incredibly powerful positions have been handed out and pursued amongst a small group of people”, adding that “it feels incredibly uncomfortable. It’s not good for Labour”.

The peer, who served as Mayor of Bristol for eight years until 2024, said people in public leadership should “act in ways that are authentic and transparent and with integrity.” But he acknowledged that a power dynamic is not unique to politics, as churches can sometimes attract leaders who “allow them to see the next tranche of opportunity before anyone else does, and they have the opportunity to grab that to their own benefit”.

Calling on Christians to hold leaders to account, he added: “it's incredibly important that we take a sober judgment to what's going on, and recognise this is about human nature. This is what happens to people when they get into power, and they're seduced by power, and their eyes are turned. Stuff Jesus warned about as well.”