Peter Mandelson to be announced as UK’s next US ambassador

Keir Starmer on the verge of appointing Labour grandee to key post at start of Trump presidency

Peter Mandelson is set to become Britain's next ambassador to the US,, the first time a politician has been appointed to the role for almost half a century.

Keir Starmer is about to announce that Lord Mandelson, a former Labour minister and European commissioner for trade, has been given the role. The Guardian understands he will take over as Donald Trump begins his second term as president.