The United Kingdom has dismissed Peter Mandelson from his position as ambassador to the United States due to his longstanding relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
This decision came from the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office following the emergence of new details about their association.
Mandelson, a prominent Labour politician instrumental in the party's transformation under Tony Blair, faced intense scrutiny after documents surfaced highlighting his friendship with Epstein.
These included a 2003 birthday album for Epstein, where Mandelson referred to him in affectionate terms, and emails revealing ongoing support even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
The FCDO stated that the emails demonstrated a relationship depth materially different from what was known during his appointment.
In one email, Mandelson expressed strong support for Epstein ahead of his sentencing, advising resilience and a fight for early release.
This revelation added to the political pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had defended Mandelson's appointment just a day earlier.
The scandal has created significant challenges for Starmer's administration, especially with an upcoming state visit from US President Donald Trump, who also faces scrutiny over his own past links to Epstein.
Peter Mandelson, aged 71 and often called the "Prince of Darkness" for his strategic prowess, played a key role in shaping New Labour in the 1980s and 1990s.
He helped orchestrate the party's 1997 landslide victory and later served in various high-profile roles, including as European commissioner for trade.
However, his career has been punctuated by controversies, leading to resignations in 1998 and 2001 over issues like undeclared loans and alleged influence peddling.
Mandelson returned to politics multiple times but eventually moved to the private sector after Labour's 2010 election loss.
His appointment as ambassador followed Trump's re-election, replacing a more conventional diplomat to handle the unpredictable US political landscape.
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier accused of abusing numerous underage girls since 2006, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The birthday book, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell — who was later convicted of sex trafficking — contained Mandelson's handwritten note describing their shared experiences and close bond.
Emails published by media outlets showed Mandelson offering advice drawn from Sun Tzu's "Art of War" and expressing fury over Epstein's conviction.
The FCDO emphasized that Mandelson's view of the conviction as wrongful constituted new information, leading to his immediate withdrawal.
This episode underscores ongoing sensitivities around Epstein's network, which also implicates figures like Trump, whose alleged birthday letter to Epstein has been disputed by the White House.
The timing complicates UK-US relations at a critical juncture.