What is Mandelson's strategy for charming Trumpworld?

Peter Mandelson is the first political appointee to the role of UK ambassador to the U.S. in 50 years .

The 71-year-old will accompany Keir Starmer to the Oval Office to meet President Trump later this month .

Mandelson has already hosted lunch for General Keith Kellogg , President Trump 's envoy to Ukraine and Russia .

Peter Mandelson will present his diplomatic credentials (a formal letter from King Charles ) at the State Department .

He has already appeared on Fox News to apologise for his previous criticism of Donald Trump .

The new ambassador is well aware that even before he arrived in Washington he had other prominent detractors like Steve Bannon , Trump 's former top adviser.

"Instead in those years he sat at home watching his contemporaries and intellectual inferiors on Newsnight ." Another ally characterises Lord Mandelson 's ambition in simpler terms: he has an insatiable thirst for power. " Peter 's great mission in life", they say, "is to stay relevant." Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday..