Mandelson Sacked as UK Ambassador to US After Epstein Emails Reveal Deep Ties
London — Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States on Thursday, a dramatic reversal just one day after offering his full support, as newly revealed emails exposed the depth of the veteran politician's relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The dismissal plunges Starmer’s embattled government into a fresh crisis, raising serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment in appointing the controversial Labour grandee to one of the UK’s most sensitive diplomatic posts.
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Mandelson’s position became untenable after Bloomberg published a series of emails showing he offered advice and steadfast support to Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. In one message, Mandelson told Epstein, “I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened”. He also advised Epstein to fight back against his accusers using tactics from Sun Tzu’s, “The Art of War”.
In a sharply worded statement, the Foreign Office said the emails revealed that, “the depth and extent”, of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was, “materially different from that known at the time of his appointment”.
The scandal erupted on Monday when US lawmakers released a, “birthday book”, compiled for Epstein in 2003, in which Mandelson had penned a handwritten tribute describing the financier as, “my best pal”. Despite the ensuing outcry, Starmer stood by his ambassador on Wednesday, telling Parliament that Mandelson retained his, “full confidence”.
That confidence evaporated overnight with the publication of the emails.
In a letter to embassy staff reported by the BBC, Mandelson called his ambassadorial role the, “privilege of my life”, but acknowledged he had, “no alternative”, but to accept the Prime Minister’s decision.
“The circumstances surrounding the announcement today are ones which I deeply regret”, he wrote. “I continue to feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein 20 years ago and the plight of his victims”.
James Roscoe, the deputy head of mission in Washington, will serve as the interim ambassador.
The firing marks a stunning downfall for Mandelson, an architect of the 'New Labour' project who is now infamous for being forced out of senior government roles for a third time. Known as the 'Prince of Darkness' for his mastery of political strategy, he previously resigned twice as a cabinet minister under Tony Blair over separate ethics scandals.
Starmer appointed Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner, following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory last November, banking on his political acumen and dealmaking skills to navigate a second Trump administration. The move initially appeared to pay off, with Mandelson playing a key role in securing a major US-UK trade deal signed in May.
But the decision has now backfired spectacularly on Starmer, whose government is already reeling from the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner, last week over a tax dispute. The Prime Minister now faces a turbulent period, with Mandelson’s dismissal coming just days before he is scheduled to host President Trump for a state visit.
The dismissal plunges Starmer’s embattled government into a fresh crisis, raising serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment in appointing the controversial Labour grandee to one of the UK’s most sensitive diplomatic posts.
.jpg)
Mandelson’s position became untenable after Bloomberg published a series of emails showing he offered advice and steadfast support to Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. In one message, Mandelson told Epstein, “I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened”. He also advised Epstein to fight back against his accusers using tactics from Sun Tzu’s, “The Art of War”.
In a sharply worded statement, the Foreign Office said the emails revealed that, “the depth and extent”, of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was, “materially different from that known at the time of his appointment”.
The scandal erupted on Monday when US lawmakers released a, “birthday book”, compiled for Epstein in 2003, in which Mandelson had penned a handwritten tribute describing the financier as, “my best pal”. Despite the ensuing outcry, Starmer stood by his ambassador on Wednesday, telling Parliament that Mandelson retained his, “full confidence”.
That confidence evaporated overnight with the publication of the emails.
In a letter to embassy staff reported by the BBC, Mandelson called his ambassadorial role the, “privilege of my life”, but acknowledged he had, “no alternative”, but to accept the Prime Minister’s decision.
“The circumstances surrounding the announcement today are ones which I deeply regret”, he wrote. “I continue to feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein 20 years ago and the plight of his victims”.
James Roscoe, the deputy head of mission in Washington, will serve as the interim ambassador.
The firing marks a stunning downfall for Mandelson, an architect of the 'New Labour' project who is now infamous for being forced out of senior government roles for a third time. Known as the 'Prince of Darkness' for his mastery of political strategy, he previously resigned twice as a cabinet minister under Tony Blair over separate ethics scandals.
Starmer appointed Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner, following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory last November, banking on his political acumen and dealmaking skills to navigate a second Trump administration. The move initially appeared to pay off, with Mandelson playing a key role in securing a major US-UK trade deal signed in May.
But the decision has now backfired spectacularly on Starmer, whose government is already reeling from the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner, last week over a tax dispute. The Prime Minister now faces a turbulent period, with Mandelson’s dismissal coming just days before he is scheduled to host President Trump for a state visit.
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