Peter Mandelson lobbied ministers for Oxford University job

In a series of embarrassing WhatsApp messages, Lord Mandelson urged Labour ministers to register to vote in the election for the historic position, which is open to staff and alumni of the prestigious university.

He described registering as “a little light recess activity” in an unsolicited message to Emma Reynolds when she was parliamentary secretary to the Treasury in early August 2024, the second tranche of the so-called Mandelson files revealed.

Lord William Hague was elected as the next chancellor of the University of Oxford (Image: The Office of William Hague/PA)

At the time, Lord Mandelson did not confirm his intention to run, instead writing: “William Hague (former Conservative leader) is the front runner but there may be a Labour candidate. To vote in October requires registering now … please spread the word amongst sympathetic Oxford graduates.”

He sent the link to register to vote to ministers including Shabana Mahmood, Ed Miliband and James Murray and lobbied former health secretary Wes Streeting when he asked Mr Streeting if he would consider speaking at the Oxford Union, the university’s debating society.

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Messages regarding Lord Mandelson’s campaign to become Chancellor were published because Parliament “expressed a significant interest”, the Cabinet Office documents said.

In WhatsApp messages dated August 3 2024, prior to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US, he asked Georgia Gould, then parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office: “Are you still networked with your Labour chums from Oxford? X”

Ms Gould replied: “I am and so is third party (redacted). Third party (redacted) text me and I am on it. V exciting x”

Lord Mandelson later said “I am a bit worried about the Cabinet Office” in a message, and added that it was a “difficult place to organise”.

Ms Gould replied: “I have just got to (redacted) so maybe we can zoom in next couple of days. I will make a map of all Oxford alumni and you can tell me how to organise Cabinet Office??”

Ahead of the second round of voting, Lord Mandelson sent Energy Secretary Mr Miliband a plea to share a now-deleted tweet which he asked Mr Miliband to forward “to as many friends and contacts who might be registered to vote, or alumni group chats, so that we get the best chancellor for Oxford University”.

Lord Mandelson made it to the final five candidates but came fourth despite his lengthy lobbying campaign for the role which dates back at least 800 years.

Former Conservative leader Lord William Hague was elected the 160th chancellor of the University of Oxford on November 27 2024 and is serving a 10-year term.