Senior minister defends decision to withhold some Mandelson files

Darren Jones says there are good reasons not to disclose certain details and next batch will be released next month

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A senior minister has defended the government’s decision to withhold information relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Washington ambassador from a powerful parliamentary committee.

Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, told the Commons on Tuesday there were good reasons not to disclose certain information, adding that the next tranche of documents would not be published until next month.