Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Britain’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, after fresh disclosures about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Foreign Office announced on Thursday that Mandelson was removed “with immediate effect” following reports that he had written supportive emails to Epstein during the financier’s 2008 prosecution in the United States.
“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 ministry said. It noted Mandelson had suggested Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged, calling this “new information.”
The Sun and Bloomberg reported that Mandelson sent messages urging Epstein to fight prosecutors, telling him to “remember the Art of War” and to “fight for early release.” In one exchange, Mandelson told Epstein, “I think the world of you,” a day before his sentencing. Epstein ultimately served 18 months for procuring a child for prostitution.
Mandelson, 71, later told the BBC he had relied on Epstein’s lawyers, who claimed the case was “a shake down” and a conspiracy. “I foolishly relied on their word which I regret to this day,” he said. He added that he “relied on assurances of his innocence that turned out later to be horrendously false.”
The dismissal came just a week before US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Britain. Mandelson had been tasked with strengthening ties with Washington after being appointed earlier this year.
Pressure on Starmer mounted in recent days, with opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calling Mandelson’s role “untenable.” At least three Labour MPs also urged his removal.
Until Wednesday, Starmer had defended the appointment, saying “due process was followed.” He had expressed confidence in Mandelson even after reports surfaced of a 2003 letter in which Mandelson described Epstein as his “best pal” and “an intelligent, sharp-witted man.” The letter appeared in a book compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday and was later submitted to a US congressional panel investigating his crimes.
Mandelson, a former Labour minister and European trade commissioner, said he regretted associating with Epstein “for far longer than I should have done.”
