Foreign Ministry said new disclosures showed Mandelson’s Epstein ties were deeper, questioning Epstein’s first conviction’s legitimacy
London
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States after fresh revelations about his close ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician and key figure in Tony Blair’s government, faced scrutiny after new emails and documents revealed a far deeper relationship with Epstein than previously known. The UK Foreign Ministry confirmed that Mandelson was recalled following instructions from the prime minister.
The controversy intensified when The Sun published emails showing Mandelson urging Epstein to “fight for early release” before his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. In another message, he wrote, “I think the world of you.” A handwritten note in Epstein’s 50th birthday album also described Epstein as Mandelson’s “best pal.”
The Foreign Ministry said these disclosures showed that Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different” from what was known at the time of his appointment. The revelations suggested Mandelson even questioned the legitimacy of Epstein’s first conviction.
The dismissal comes amid heightened pressure in the United States for transparency in the Epstein case. Survivors have warned they may compile and publish their own list of Epstein’s alleged associates if official files remain sealed.
US President Donald Trump, however, dismissed the push as a “Democrat hoax,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson promised that the ongoing congressional probe would reveal “things never uncovered before.”
The fallout has not only ended Mandelson’s diplomatic career but also reignited debates in both the UK and US about Epstein’s powerful network and the handling of his case files.