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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed his ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, on Thursday after fresh revelations about the diplomat’s close relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Foreign Ministry said Mandelson was withdrawn “with immediate effect” following reports in The Sun and Bloomberg that he exchanged supportive messages with Epstein during the financier’s 2008 prosecution for sex crimes 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.
“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"In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
According to the reports, Mandelson told Epstein in 2008 that he was “following you closely and here whenever you need” and urged him to “remember the Art of War” when dealing with prosecutors.
He also encouraged Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before the financier received an 18-month sentence after admitting to procuring a child for prostitution.
“I think the world of you,” Mandelson wrote the day before Epstein began his sentence.
The 71-year-old Mandelson, a former Labour minister, ex-European trade commissioner, and longtime political strategist once nicknamed the “Prince of Darkness,” told the BBC that he “relied on assurances of (Epstein’s) innocence that turned out later to be horrendously false.”
“His lawyers claimed that it was a shakedown, a criminal conspiracy. I foolishly relied on their word, which I regret to this day,” he said.
The dismissal comes just a week before U.S. President Donald Trump is due to make a state visit to Britain.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, had called Mandelson’s position “untenable,” while at least three Labour MPs also urged Starmer to act.
Andy McDonald said Mandelson “should go immediately.”
Starmer, who appointed Mandelson earlier this year to strengthen ties with Washington, had defended him as recently as Wednesday, saying “due process was followed” ahead of the appointment and insisting he had “confidence” in him.
But pressure mounted after revelations that Mandelson once described Epstein as his “best pal” and “an intelligent, sharp-witted man” in a 2003 letter included in a book marking Epstein’s 50th birthday.
The letter was among documents released by a U.S. congressional panel investigating Epstein’s sex crimes.
Mandelson told The Sun he regretted “very deeply” associating with Epstein “for far longer than I should have done.”
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