Epstein ties: Starmer sacks UK ambassador to US

Peter Mandelson has been dismissed from his role as the UK’s ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, following revelations about the Labour peer’s longstanding relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The dismissal came after new emails surfaced showing Lord Mandelson expressed support for Epstein during his 2008 conviction for child sex offences. In one email, he claimed the conviction was “wrongful” and “should be challenged,” according to a statement from Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty.

“In light of this, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect,” Doughty told MPs.

The Foreign Office confirmed that the depth of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different” from what had been known at the time of his appointment.

Lord Mandelson’s ties to Epstein, which resurfaced this week in multiple media reports, included: A 2003 birthday message in which he referred to Epstein as his “best pal.”

They also included emails sent after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, including one on the eve of his imprisonment where Mandelson wrote: “I think the world of you.”

They further included attempts to set up business meetings with Epstein even after his conviction.

Sir Keir Starmer had publicly expressed confidence in Mandelson just a day earlier. However, after reviewing the newly revealed emails overnight, he moved quickly—alongside Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper—to remove the ambassador.

Opposition parties reacted with swift condemnation. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister of “failing another key test of leadership,” adding: “He gave his full backing to a man unfit for office.” Former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called the scandal a “fiasco” and predicted: “This is all Starmer’s fault. I can see him being gone by Christmas.”

In an interview with The Sun, Lord Mandelson expressed regret over his association with Epstein:

“I regret very much that I fell for his lies… He’s a charismatic, criminal liar we now see.”

He added that the relationship had hung over him “like an albatross” since Epstein’s death.