The UK government is today expected to release the first batch of 'Mandelson files' - internal documents related to the former ambassador to the US' appointment.

The documents are set to be released around 12.30pm, when Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, will also make a statement in the Commons after PMQs.

It is expected, the BBC reports, that the disclosed documents will reveal information about the process prior to Lord Mandelson's appointment to the role in Washington.

Last month, the Conservatives used a parliamentary procedure known as a humble address to force the government to release the papers.

Since then, a cross-party committee has been examining how to release the documents without jeopardising national security, overseas relationships or the ongoing police investigation into Lord Mandelson.

Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September over revelations about his close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

It comes as a Freedom of Information request to the Scottish government revealed details of a video call between Mandelson and First Minister John Swinney just prior to Swinney's meeting with Donald Trump in Aberdeen.

Mandelson, The Times reports, requested Swinney's help in wooing the US president, and urged him to capitalise on Trump's Scottish links to push trade targets on goods such as whisky.

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