Ministers have been accused of ‘hiding’ huge numbers of damaging documents about Peter Mandelson.

As many as 100,000 records and messages are believed to have been gathered from No10, the Foreign Office and Whitehall departments about the Labour grandee’s appointment as US Ambassador and his sacking over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

But the first batch published by the Government, five weeks after it was ordered by the Commons, was only 147 pages long – with more than 30 of them blank.

It also included several uncontroversial files such as Mandelson’s job contract and standard guidance from HR, as well as the row over his pay-off and advice given to Keir Starmer.

The tranche included a blank declaration of interests form – but not the one filled in by the disgraced peer.

No messages were published between the Prime Minister and key allies including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney about the wisdom of the appointment. 

Crucial answers provided by Mandelson when asked by Downing Street about his links to Epstein were also held back, at the request of Scotland Yard while it investigates him for misconduct in public office.

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Prime Minister, told MPs: ‘We will therefore publish these documents in the future as soon as the Metropolitan Police have confirmed it will no longer prejudice their investigation.’

Ministers were last night accused of ‘hiding’ huge numbers of damaging documents about Peter Mandelson. Pictured: The disgraced peer following his arrest earlier this month

The tranche of files released included several uncontroversial ones such as Mandelson’s job contract and standard guidance from HR, as well as the row over his pay-off and advice given to Keir Starmer

An undated photograph of Mandelson standing in his underwear next to a woman whose face has been redacted was released as part of the Epstein files

And he said ‘there are further tranches of documents to come’ as officials work through the ‘full scope’ of the request forced through by the Conservatives under a Parliamentary process known as a ‘humble address’.

But shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said on Wednesday night: ‘The Labour Government need to come clean on what documents have been hidden… and whether WhatsApps or private emails have been deleted or hidden. The Government must release the files in full and make Mandelson repay the money.’

The Tories pointed out that even among files released showing the advice given to the Prime Minister, there were blank sections where Sir Keir’s remarks would have been expected.

Mr Burghart posted an image of one of the documents online and wrote: ‘The Government has not released the actual box returns on Mandelson. Why? I’ve worked in No10 – Spads and Private Secretary provide comments and we’d expect the PM to write in his view. All that has been left out – why?’

In the Commons debate, Mr Burghart demanded a ‘register of withheld and delayed documents so the House can be aware of what is being held back’.

Conservative MP Harriet Cross asked: ‘When will the Government release Mandelson’s declaration of interests and why is it not included in the documents released today?’

Cabinet minister Mr Jones replied: ‘All the documents that are available in relation to Peter Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal are published in the tranche today, subject to those which have been held back by the Metropolitan Police. 

‘All further documents that relate to humble address will be released in the second tranche, which will be in the coming weeks.’

Ex-Labour adviser John McTernan told Sky News: ‘We’re missing the WhatsApp messages from Peter [Mandelson] to Morgan [McSweeney] and from Morgan to the Prime Minister. 

‘There’s a whole set of communications totally missing, this is just minutes. This is not all the conversations that were being held.’

It is feared the emails held back by the police may not see the light of day for several years.

Detectives worry that publication of Mandelson’s answers to No10 about his friendship with Epstein after the late financier’s conviction of soliciting a minor for prostitution could be used by a defence barrister to argue he could not receive a fair trial.

Sources have said those documents would be considered safe to release only after the conclusion of any criminal prosecution. Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing, including misconduct in public office.

Marcus Johnstone, from PCD Solicitors, said: ‘We need to remember that the files we are seeing today are only the thin end of the wedge on Mandelson.

‘Behind closed doors, I know that a small war was likely fought between civil servants, government lawyers and the police as to what was appropriate to put in the public domain. The same will apply to the next file disclosures.’

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked: ‘When in the documents that the Government is now producing will we know every piece of advice that was given to the Prime Minister by his officials and by the Foreign Office?

‘I think the public need to know why the Prime Minister, despite all the knowledge about Mandelson, felt the need to go ahead with this appointment.’

Mr Jones replied: ‘The tranche of documents today that relate to the appointment and dismissal of Peter Mandelson as ambassador are inclusive of all the documents held by Government, bar those held back by the police.  There are no other further documents that have not been published.’