It was known that Mr. Mandelson had ties to Mr. Epstein before to his nomination to the position in Washington many months ago.
Starmer Fires Envoy Over Epstein
Because of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Peter Mandelson, the country’s ambassador to the United States.
Only a few days before to U.S. President Donald Trump‘s state visit to the United Kingdom, Mr. Mandelson’s resignation was revealed on Friday.
Given the new details in Peter Mandelson’s emails, the prime minister has requested that the foreign secretary remove him from his position as ambassador. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated in a statement that the emails demonstrate that the breadth and depth of Peter Mandelson’s contact with Jeffrey Epstein differs significantly from what was known at the time of his appointment.
Democrats Reveal Epstein Records
It had been known for months prior to Mr. Mandelson’s nomination to the position in Washington that he had ties to Mr. Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Democrats in the United States disclosed passages from Mr. Epstein’s 2003 book commemorating his 50th birthday, which provided further information on Mr. Mandelson’s relationship with Mr. Epstein. The Trump administration has been under pressure from Democrats in the U.S. Congress to make the U.S. government’s files on Mr. Epstein public.
Given the nature of Mr. Trump’s connections to Mr. Epstein, the matter has turned into a political hot spot. The White House has disputed that Mr. Trump really signed the sexually explicit letter in Mr. Epstein’s book commemorating his 50th birthday.
Mandelson Defends Epstein Friendship
In the book, Mr. Mandelson calls Mr. Epstein his “best buddy.”
According to the Sun tabloid, Mr. Mandelson had advised Mr. Epstein that the latter’s 2008 conviction for child prostitution was incorrect.
Mr. Mandelson had allegedly informed Mr. Epstein, “I feel forlorn and angry about what has transpired, and I think the world of you.”
In an interview earlier this week, the former envoy expressed remorse “very, very sincerely” for the duration of his affiliation with Mr. Epstein, but he also said that he never saw any “wrongdoing.”
Starmer Faces Mounting Pressure
Mr. Mandelson’s dismissal increases Mr. Starmer’s political susceptibility. A Cabinet upheaval resulted from the resignation of Mr. Starmer’s steadfast friend, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, days ago for failing to pay adequate taxes on a residence.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party and the leader of the opposition, referred to Mr. Mandelson’s stance as “untenable” and demanded his dismissal.
Serious doubts now surround what Starmer knew and when. On Thursday, September 11, 2025, she posted on the social media platform X, saying, “We deserve to know.”