UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK PM Keir Starmer sacks Peter Mandelson as US ambassador over Jeffrey Epstein ties, citing pressure after emails revealed support for Epstein’s early release.
As reported by The Guardian, Peter Mandelson has been removed from his position as the UK’s ambassador to the US over his recently disclosed ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision comes after it was revealed that Mr Mandelson maintained links with the former financier even after he was jailed for a child sex offence.
How did Peter Mandelson maintain ties with Jeffrey Epstein amid the scandal?
The former Mandelson came under intense scrutiny after it emerged he urged Epstein to seek early release during the financier’s 18-month sentence for child prostitution and solicitation.
The Sun released the emails after they circulated in Washington, DC, hours after Peter Mandelson admitted on Tuesday that more “very embarrassing” details of his friendship with Epstein were likely to emerge. He denied witnessing any “wrongdoing.”
Mr Mandelson sent an email to Epstein in June 2008, which was confirmed by his spokesperson, writing,
“I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened.”
He stated,
“I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain. You have to be incredibly resilient, fight for early release and be philosophical about it as much as you can.”
It added,
“Everything can be turned into an opportunity and that you will come through it and be stronger for it.”
The ties between Mandelson and Epstein came under renewed scrutiny after Democratic members of the US House released Epstein’s 50th “birthday book,” which included a handwritten note from Mandelson calling him “my best pal.”
Lord Mandelson’s on his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
Lord Mandelson has acknowledged regretting his association with Epstein, following a Daily Telegraph report detailing a 20-year friendship that lasted beyond Epstein’s 2008 imprisonment for child sex offences.
He stated,
“I find them very embarrassing to see and to read… but, as you say, they were written before he was indicted. I just feel two things now. One, I feel a tremendous sense, a profound sense of sympathy for those people, those women, who suffered as a result of his behaviour and his illegal criminal activities.”
Mr Mandelson added,
“And secondly, I regret very, very deeply indeed, carrying on that association with him for far longer than I should have done. It was a matter of years after I initially met him, and I regret very much that I fell for his lies.”
The ex-ambassador stated,
“I have no doubt at all that there’s a lot of traffic, correspondence, exchanges between us – absolutely. And we know those are going to surface. We know they’re going to come out. We know they’re going to be very embarrassing, and they know that I’m going to profoundly regret ever having met him and been introduced to him in the first place.”
What did the government say about Lord Mandelson’s withdrawal as US ambassador?
The Government announced that Lord Mandelson will no longer serve as UK ambassador to the US.
The Foreign Office stated in a statement,
“In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as Ambassador. The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect.”
Stephen Doughty, Foreign Office minister, stated,
“In particular, Lord Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information.”
He added,
“And in light of that, and mindful, as we all are, of the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
How did Kemi Badenoch criticise Keir Starmer over Mandelson and Rayner?
Kemi Badenoch posted on X,
“Mandelson might have gone but, just as with Angela Rayner, Starmer dithered when he needed to be decisive. Time and again he puts party above country. He has no backbone and no convictions.”
She added,
“There are now serious questions over what Starmer knew and when. We deserve to know.”
How did Ed Davey criticise the Government over Mandelson’s appointment?
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey slammed the Government after Lord Mandelson’s removal, saying it is “lurching from one crisis to another.”
He said in a statement,
“The Prime Minister now needs to appoint an ambassador who will stand up to Trump, not cosy up to him and his cronies.”
Mr Davey stated,
“He also needs to come before Parliament and explain why Lord Mandelson was appointed in the first place, given everything the Government knew then.”
He added,
“This Government seems to be lurching from one crisis to another. It desperately needs to get a grip on fixing the economy and public services so badly damaged by the Conservatives.”
What did Nigel Farage say about the UK ambassador role after Mandelson’s sacking?
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urged Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a new ambassador
“who can walk into the Oval Office, and Trump can look him in the eye and say, ‘I can do business with this guy.’”
When questioned about taking the post, he responded,
“I don’t think they would offer the job to me, but I have to say, [the British Embassy] is a rather lovely building.”
Mr Farage added,
“If I was Starmer, I would offer it to me, because if I accepted it, it would get me out of the way, wouldn’t it?”
How did Ian Byrne react to Mr Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein?
Ian Byrne, whose Labour whip was restored in February following a suspension related to his vote on the two-child benefit cap, stated,
“MPs get suspended by the party, like I did, for voting against putting children and disabled people into poverty, but calling the world’s most infamous paedophile and child-trafficker your ‘best pal’, amongst other comments, that’s OK! It stinks to high heaven.”
Why did Angela Rayner resign?
The former Deputy PM resigned after facing intense pressure over tax matters, admitting she had underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat.
After confirming she owes additional property tax, the Deputy PM has referred herself to the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser.