Lord Peter Mandelson has been dismissed from his post as the UK’s ambassador to the United States after new evidence emerged detailing the extent of his ties to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday that the decision followed the release of previously unseen emails which revealed “the depth and extent” of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different from that known at the time of his appointment”.
The revelations placed the Prime Minister under mounting pressure to act, after the publication of exchanges between Mandelson and Epstein dating back to 2008, when Epstein was facing prosecution for soliciting sex from a minor.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lord Mandelson admitted he had “foolishly” accepted Epstein’s protestations of innocence, adding: “which I regret to this day.”
The Foreign Office statement continued: “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as ambassador. 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. In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey 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 In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
Emails published by The Sun and Bloomberg reveal that shortly before Epstein was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, Mandelson urged him to “fight for early release”, telling him the day before sentencing: “I think the world of you.”
The BBC understands that the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reached the decision to dismiss Mandelson during a meeting on Thursday morning (Sept 11). Senior government figures insist that the emails in question were not available at the time of his appointment, as they were linked to a “long closed” account. Officials stressed that Mandelson himself did not have access to the correspondence, and that the normal vetting procedures had been followed.
Lord Mandelson’s long career in public life spans more than four decades. A central figure in the New Labour project, he played a key role in Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide victory and went on to serve in several senior ministerial roles until Labour lost office in 2010. Twice forced to resign from Cabinet, he nevertheless earned a reputation as a political survivor, returning each time to positions of influence.
Despite lingering controversy over his past friendship with Epstein, Mandelson was generally viewed as effective in his ambassadorial role, particularly for his ability to work constructively with the Trump administration.
His abrupt dismissal, however, brings an ignominious end to his latest return to frontline public life, as questions over his judgement and associations once again eclipse his achievements.
