UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs on Thursday.
The veteran Labour politician had been under mounting pressure over his relationship with Epstein after a “birthday book” was released by US lawmakers that included a letter expressing his backing for Epstein, describing him as “my best pal”.
Newly revealed emails show deeper Epstein relationship than known
“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 Foreign Office said in a statement.
“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”, officials stated.
Bloomberg News obtained more than 100 previously unreported emails between Epstein and Mandelson from 2005 through 2010, showing the relationship was deeper than previously known and continued long after Epstein’s behaviour made international news.
Mandelson expressed support for Epstein during legal troubles
From the moment the first allegations against Epstein became public in 2006, Mandelson showed his American friend steadfast support, giving Epstein advice and suggesting he fight back using techniques from Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
“In particular Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information”, the Foreign Office stated.
“I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened,” Mandelson wrote to Epstein in one email.
Ambassador called Epstein ‘my best pal’ in birthday book
In 2003, Mandelson wrote in Epstein’s 50th birthday book: “Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call ‘mysterious’ parachuted into my life,” adding “wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal!”
In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Mandelson expressed regret, saying he felt “a profound sense of sympathy for those people, those women who suffered as a result of his behaviour and his illegal criminal activities”.
Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician who was key to the party’s success under former leader Tony Blair, had served as UK ambassador to Washington since February 2025.
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