By Muhammad Mamman
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dramatically dismissed Britain’s Ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, following explosive revelations about his close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday that Mandelson was being withdrawn from his post “with immediate effect” after newly uncovered emails revealed he had privately defended Epstein and questioned his 2008 conviction.
“The depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment,” a Foreign Office statement read. “In particular, his suggestion that 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 In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador.”
The emails—first reported by The Sun and Bloomberg—show Mandelson telling Epstein he was “following you closely and here whenever you need”, and urging him to “fight for early release” ahead of his 18-month prison term for procuring a child for prostitution. In another message, he wrote: “I think the world of you.”
Mandelson, 71, told the BBC he had been misled by Epstein’s lawyers, who claimed the charges were a “shakedown”. “I foolishly relied on their word, which I regret to this day,” he said.
Nicknamed the “Prince of Darkness” during his years as Labour’s chief spin doctor, Mandelson twice resigned from Tony Blair’s Cabinet in the late 1990s and early 2000s over allegations of misconduct. He later returned to frontline politics as a key strategist and was appointed ambassador to Washington earlier this year, with the task of forging close ties with President Donald Trump.
The sacking comes at a delicate moment—just a week before Trump is scheduled to make a state visit to the UK.
Pressure had been mounting on Starmer in recent days. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch declared Mandelson’s position “untenable”, while several Labour MPs demanded his immediate removal. Starmer had only on Wednesday defended the appointment, insisting due process was followed.
But his stance was fatally undermined by further revelations—including a 2003 letter in which Mandelson described Epstein as his “best pal” and “an intelligent, sharp-witted man”.
Mandelson has since admitted he “deeply regrets” maintaining ties with Epstein “for far longer than I should have done”.
