Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson as the UK Ambassador to the United States following revelations about the depth of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Foreign Office said the decision was taken “in light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson.”
“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 statement read.
“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 In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect.”
The move came just a day after Starmer defended Mandelson in Parliament, telling MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions, “I have confidence in him,” when pressed about the appointment.
However, the release of documents by US lawmakers in recent days intensified scrutiny.
Among them was a letter in which Mandelson described Epstein as his “best pal,” alongside further correspondence he admitted could prove “embarrassing.”
Mandelson had played a key role as a diplomatic link between Starmer and US president Donald Trump during a sensitive phase in US-UK relations.
His sacking marks a major setback for Starmer’s foreign policy team.
Reaction to the decision has been swift. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of weak leadership, writing on X, “Mandelson might have gone but, just as with Angela Rayner, Starmer dithered when he needed to be decisive. Time and again he puts party above country. He has no backbone and no convictions. There are now serious questions over what Starmer knew and when. We deserve to know.”
