LONDON (AP) — Peter Mandelson has officially been ousted from his role as the U.K. ambassador to the United States after his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were revealed. This decision was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
During a session in the House of Commons, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty elaborated on the government’s decision, which follows the discovery of emails from the 2000s in which Mandelson expressed support for Epstein even while he was entangled in serious legal troubles.
Doughty highlighted that the depth of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was not accurately represented at the time of Mandelson’s royal appointment to the D.C. role last year, following a Labour Party victory in the elections.
Mandelson stated he deeply regretted his prior connections with Epstein, claiming he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal actions. “With the new information from Peter Mandelson’s emails, the Prime Minister requested that the foreign secretary withdraw him from his U.S. ambassadorship,” Doughty mentioned.
Specifically, Doughty noted that Mandelson had suggested Epstein’s first conviction back in 2008 was “unjust and should be defended.”
Interestingly, on Wednesday, The Sun reported that Mandelson encouraged Epstein to “battle for an early release” just before his 18-month prison sentence for soliciting minors came down.
Mandelson expressed admiration for Epstein, saying, “I hold you in high regard,” before Epstein began serving his time.
This dismissal comes right after Starmer publicly declared his confidence in Mandelson. It adds more tension for Starmer ahead of President Donald Trump’s anticipated state visit to the U.K. next week, which is expected to stir protests and controversy. Just a week prior, Starmer also saw his deputy Angela Rayner depart due to a tax issue involving a home purchase.
In the meantime, James Roscoe, deputy head of mission in Washington, will temporarily fill Mandelson’s shoes as ambassador. Roscoe has a background as a career diplomat and even served as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s communications chief.
Starmer’s judgment regarding appointments has been scrutinized, especially as Mandelson is not new to controversies, having resigned twice from former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government in late 90s and early 2000s.
Following his second resignation, Mandelson also took on the role of European Commissioner during Britain’s EU membership before making a return to U.K. politics in 2008 under Gordon Brown, Blair’s successor.
His experience in trade negotiations was seen as vital amid U.S. threats of hefty tariffs on British goods. Eventually, that led to a favorable trade agreement in May, though completion of some provisions remains pending.
Mandelson, who earned the nickname “Prince of Darkness” for his adeptness in political maneuvers, is not your typical choice for an ambassador position, often held by career civil servants. Having criticized Trump in the past, calling him a “global threat,” Mandelson later described those comments as “ill-judged.”
This week’s intensified scrutiny largely stems from the release of a 50th birthday book for Epstein that contained tributes from notable figures, where Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal” in a handwritten inscription, further highlighting the implications of their past relationship.
The album, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, also notably featured other influencers like Trump, Bill Clinton, and attorney Alan Dershowitz with suggestive phrases.
Epstein died by suicide in prison in August 2019, waiting for trial on sex-trafficking charges stemming from his earlier convictions.
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Reported by Jill Lawless from London.
