British ambassador to the United States Lord Peter Mandelson faced mounting calls for dismissal after newspapers published private emails and a birthday album that appear to show him urging convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to "fight for early release" and assuring him that "your friends stay with you and love you."
The messages, which newspapers and U.S. lawmakers have circulated, are said to date from June 2008, shortly before Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to two counts of soliciting a minor for prostitution and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. The material includes a handwritten greeting from Mandelson in a 2003 album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell and holiday photographs showing the two together. The reports say the exchanges were sent between private email addresses and that additional, potentially embarrassing communications may yet emerge.
The revelations prompted criticism across party lines. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the disclosures were "sickening" and that Mandelson "needs to be fired now." Former Conservative cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson warned that the ambassador's presence could overshadow a planned state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump and risk embarrassing the monarch. Several Labour backbenchers also called for his removal.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday said Mandelson had been vetted "in full" before his appointment and expressed confidence in him. Mandelson, a Labour peer who was appointed ambassador in 2025, issued a statement saying he regretted "very much that I fell for his lies" and acknowledged he had maintained an association with Epstein "far longer than I should have done."
Victims' lawyers and campaigners called for further inquiry. Spencer Kuvin, who represents some survivors of Epstein's abuse, said the reported friendship warranted investigation. Lisa Bloom, another lawyer for victims, described the revelations as "truly appalling." Some of Epstein's victims have publicly urged Mandelson to step down.
The contested material surfaced as U.S. lawmakers released a 238-page album compiled by Maxwell for Epstein's 50th birthday, which contained a ten-page handwritten greeting from Mandelson and accompanying photographs from a visit to Epstein's Caribbean residence. The album and the email excerpts were first reported in British tabloids and have been circulating in Washington, according to media accounts.
Mandelson has previously acknowledged social contact with Epstein, including travel on Epstein's private plane and visits to his island estate. In interviews he has said Epstein never introduced him to women and suggested he had been deceived by Epstein's accounts. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting federal trial on new charges alleging sex trafficking of minors.
The timing of the disclosures has political implications. Mandelson is due to have a visible role during the UK’s hosting of a U.S. presidential state visit, and critics argued the controversy could dominate coverage of official events. Supporters of the ambassador noted that his appointment followed standard vetting procedures and said decisions on his position should await any formal inquiry.
The government has not announced any formal investigation into Mandelson’s conduct beyond public statements. Parliamentary and media attention is likely to continue as opposition figures and survivors press for answers and as further documents related to Epstein and Maxwell remain under review in both the United States and Britain.