British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States after fresh revelations about his close relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision, announced on Thursday, follows the publication of emails showing Mandelson privately supported Epstein during his 2008 prosecution for child sex offences.
In a statement, the Foreign Office confirmed that Starmer directed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to withdraw Mandelson “in light of new information”.
“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,” the statement said. “In particular, Peter Mandelson’s 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In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
Revelations of Support for Epstein
Reports in The Sun and Bloomberg revealed that Mandelson wrote to Epstein while the financier was under investigation, encouraging him to “remember the Art of War” in his dealings with prosecutors.
In another email, sent shortly before Epstein’s sentencing, Mandelson urged him to “fight for early release,” adding: “I think the world of you.”
The correspondence contradicted earlier accounts of Mandelson’s ties to Epstein. The 71-year-old political veteran admitted to the BBC that he had relied on “assurances of [Epstein’s] innocence that turned out to be horrendously false.”
“His lawyers claimed it was a shakedown, a criminal conspiracy. I foolishly relied on their word, which I regret to this day,” Mandelson said.
Mounting Pressure
The sacking comes just days before US President Donald Trump is expected in London for a state visit. Mandelson, appointed earlier this year, had been tasked with strengthening relations with Trump’s administration.
Until Wednesday, Starmer had publicly defended Mandelson, insisting “due process was followed” in his appointment. But calls for his removal mounted after disclosures that Mandelson once described Epstein as his “best pal” and “an intelligent, sharp-witted man” in a 2003 birthday tribute later unearthed by a US congressional panel.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch of the Conservatives had labeled Mandelson’s role “untenable,” while several Labour MPs — including Andy McDonald — demanded his immediate removal.
Mandelson, long known as Labour’s “Prince of Darkness” for his backroom political influence, previously resigned twice from Tony Blair’s government over misconduct allegations.
He later served as a European trade commissioner and remained a controversial figure within Labour circles.
On Thursday, he told The Sun he regretted “very deeply” his association with Epstein, admitting he had remained connected to him “for far longer than I should have done.”
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