Government minister uses US ambassador’s residence for weekend stay
A government minister was permitted by Lord Mandelson to stay at the US ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., during a weekend visit, documents reveal, reports BritPanorama.
Baroness Jenny Chapman, an international development minister, reached out via text in March 2025, informing the then ambassador that she and her husband, MP Nick Smith, would visit the US capital the following month. In her message, she inquired whether it would be acceptable for them to stay, adding that she understood if the ambassador preferred to clarify it was not an Airbnb arrangement.
Lord Mandelson responded affirmatively, stating they could “of course stay.” The US ambassador’s residence is valued at approximately $31 million (£22 million) and is regarded as one of the premier diplomatic homes in the city.
This exchange has come to light in the latest documents related to Mandelson’s government role. Additionally, it has emerged that senior minister Darren Jones complimented Mandelson on his performance the day he was dismissed from his Washington position due to associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The situation has prompted a surge of calls for action against Jones, particularly from female Labour MPs urging his dismissal. In response to the revelations about Baroness Chapman’s stay, the Foreign Office stated that it is customary for ministers and officials to utilise the Government’s official residences abroad during official business trips. Baroness Chapman had been in Washington to attend the spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.
This incident underscores ongoing discussions regarding the propriety of using diplomatic residences for personal visits amidst governmental protocols.
