UK Ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson Dismissed Amid Epstein Connection Controversy

UK Ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, has been dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid increasing scrutiny over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

On Thursday morning, the Foreign Office released a statement noting, “In light of new information revealed in emails authored by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has instructed the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him from his position as Ambassador.”

The statement further explained that the emails revealed the nature and extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was significantly different from what was known at the time of his appointment. Notably, Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s initial conviction was wrongful and should be contested was highlighted as new information. Consequently, the Prime Minister decided to remove him as Ambassador effective immediately, considering the victims of Epstein’s crimes.

Mandelson’s termination followed a report on Wednesday, which disclosed an email he sent to Epstein in June 2008, shortly after Epstein’s conviction in Florida for procuring a minor for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. In that email, Mandelson allegedly wrote, “The whole thing has been years of torture, and now you have to show the world how big a person you are, and how strong. Your friends stay with you and love you.”

Just a day prior, Prime Minister Starmer expressed his “confidence” in Mandelson during a session in the House of Commons when questioned by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Starmer acknowledged, “The victims of Epstein are at the forefront of our minds. He was a despicable criminal who committed heinous acts and ruined the lives of many women and girls.” He added that the ambassador had shown deep regret for his association with Epstein, emphasizing his importance in maintaining UK-US relations.

These comments came after new correspondence surfaced between Mandelson and Epstein, which included a letter in which Mandelson referred to Epstein as his “best pal.” In a recent interview, Mandelson described these remarks as “very embarrassing” and referred to Epstein as an “albatross around his neck.” He expressed a profound sense of sympathy for the victims of Epstein’s actions and deeply regretted maintaining his association with Epstein for far too long. “I accepted his assurances about his legal issues at face value, like many others did, but with hindsight and new information, it’s clear we were wrong to trust him. He is a charismatic criminal liar,” Mandelson said.

Lord Glasman, the only Labour figure invited to Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year, had warned against Mandelson’s appointment, calling it “unwise.” He noted that during his time in Washington for the inauguration, numerous individuals showed him images of Mandelson with Epstein, suggesting the appointment was ill-advised.

The departure of Lord Mandelson, who took up the ambassadorial role in December, poses a diplomatic challenge for Starmer, especially given Mandelson’s established rapport with Trump’s administration. This development coincides with Trump facing scrutiny over his own associations with Epstein.

Mandelson’s political experience is notable; he previously served as the director of communications for the Labour Party under former leader Neil Kinnock, and as a Labour MP and cabinet minister under ex-prime minister Tony Blair, before being elevated to the House of Lords as a Labour peer in 2008.