Senior figures from across the political spectrum called on Lord Peter Mandelson to be removed as Britain’s ambassador to Washington after media‑published emails and photographs that appear to show him offering support to Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced.
The material, which British tabloids said included messages exchanged in June 2008, includes lines attributed to Mandelson telling Epstein, "your friends stay with you and love you," and urging him to "fight for early release." The emails were published amid the release by US lawmakers of a 238‑page album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell that contains photographs and handwritten greetings related to Epstein's 50th birthday.
The revelations prompted immediate condemnation from opposition politicians and demands for Lord Mandelson’s dismissal, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch saying: "These are sickening revelations. Peter Mandelson needs to be fired now." Former cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson told the Mail the envoy’s position was "untenable," warning of potential embarrassment for the King during an upcoming state visit by former US President Donald Trump at which Lord Mandelson is due to play a role.
Labour backbenchers also urged action. MPs including Richard Burgon and Nadia Whittome were among those calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to remove Mandelson, and lawyers for Epstein’s victims expressed disgust at the reported closeness between the peer and the convicted financier.
Sir Keir Starmer defended his appointment on Wednesday, saying the ambassador had been vetted "in full" and pledging his "full confidence" in Lord Mandelson. No 10 said the friendship between Mandelson and Epstein was "a matter of public record" prior to his appointment.
Lord Mandelson has acknowledged maintaining an association with Epstein "far longer than I should have done," and told the podcast Harry Cole Saves the West: "I regret very much that I fell for his lies." He said on the programme that Epstein had been a "charismatic criminal liar," and that more "very embarrassing" emails might yet become public. In past interviews and disclosures, Mandelson has confirmed travel on Epstein’s private jet and stays at Epstein’s Caribbean property, which has been linked in reporting to the financier's offences.
The messages reported by British outlets date to June 2008, a period when Epstein was under intense legal pressure in Florida. Prosecutors had given him an ultimatum to finalise a plea deal or face longer charges; on June 30, 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to two counts of soliciting a minor and was later sentenced to 18 months in jail. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on state charges accusing him of abusing scores of underage girls.
The newly publicised album compiled by Maxwell and released by US lawmakers this week includes a lengthy handwritten greeting attributed to Mandelson and several holiday photographs, including one that shows the peer in a white dressing gown. British tabloids published other images and extracts from the album.
Critics argued the material undermined Mandelson’s suitability for the ambassadorial role. "The man is disgusting for his clear close friendship with a paedophile," Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer representing victims, said in comments reported by the press, calling for investigation rather than promotion. Another victims' lawyer, Lisa Bloom, described the revelations as "truly appalling."
Supporters of Mandelson and officials in Government stressed that the friendship had been known publicly before his appointment and pointed to his statement of regret. The Prime Minister’s office reiterated that vetting had been completed and that Mandelson remained in post as officials reviewed the new allegations.
Parliamentary critics said the controversy risks overshadowing the state visit and called on the Government to provide a fuller account of what it knew about Lord Mandelson’s past association with Epstein, and when. The Government has not announced any formal inquiry into Mandelson’s conduct beyond public statements of confidence and calls for further explanation.
The unfolding dispute adds to scrutiny of the ambassadorial appointment and raises fresh questions about vetting and political judgment in appointing high‑profile envoys. Westminster sources said Downing Street and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office were assessing the material and determining whether further action was warranted ahead of the planned diplomatic engagements next week.