It’s a tough time for the nation’s finances – but don’t worry, one man is doing ok. Lord Mandelson received a taxpayer-funded payoff worth tens of thousands of pounds – despite being sacked as US ambassador over his links to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Sunday Times reports today that Mandy secured an exit payment equivalent to three months’ salary from the Foreign Office after he was forced out in September last year, just seven months into the role. Not bad, eh?

His salary has not yet been published by the government but the post of ambassador to the US reportedly commands the highest in the diplomatic service. This is pay band SCS4, between £155,000 and £220,000 per annum. It implies that Mandelson received an exit payment of between £38,750 and £55,000 before tax and other deductions. Trebles all round! Negotiations were conducted between the Foreign Office’s human resources department and his lawyers, with sources telling the Sunday Times too that Mandelson had asked for a much greater sum than he received. Doesn’t sound like the inveterate money-grabber that we know and love…

The Foreign Office has since said the payment is being reviewed ‘in light of further information that has now been revealed’. Gee, what on earth could have changed their mind?