UK Fires Ambassador to US Mandelson Over Epstein Email Revelations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired Ambassador Peter Mandelson following email revelations linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. The dismissal follows publication of supportive messages Mandelson sent Epstein even during his legal troubles. The move raises questions about the vetting process and Starmer’s political judgment ahead of Trump’s state visit.
Mandelson’s Epstein Scandal – Quick Looks
- UK fires U.S. Ambassador Peter Mandelson over Epstein links
- Newly surfaced emails show Mandelson supported Epstein in 2008
- Mandelson encouraged Epstein to “fight for early release”
- Prime Minister Starmer previously expressed confidence in Mandelson
- Move comes days before Trump’s official visit to the UK
- Mandelson once referred to Epstein as “my best pal”
- Career diplomat James Roscoe named interim ambassador
- Mandelson previously resigned twice under Tony Blair’s government
- Controversy adds to Starmer’s political woes after deputy resignation
- Critics question vetting process and Mandelson’s past political roles
Deep Look: UK Fires Peter Mandelson as Ambassador Over Epstein Connections
LONDON — The British government has dismissed Peter Mandelson from his post as UK Ambassador to the United States after newly uncovered emails revealed a deeper and more troubling connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously disclosed.
The dismissal was announced Thursday by Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty, who addressed the House of Commons following the publication of messages Mandelson had sent Epstein in the mid-2000s. These emails expressed support for Epstein — even as he faced criminal charges for sex offenses involving minors.
“In light of the additional information in the emails written by Peter Mandelson,” Doughty stated, “the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as ambassador to the United States.”
Emails Reveal Mandelson’s Support for Epstein
The decision follows this week’s publication by The Sun newspaper of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, including one where Mandelson wrote:
“I think the world of you,” and encouraged Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before the disgraced financier began an 18-month prison sentence in 2008 for soliciting a minor.
Another detail drawing public outcry came from a 2003 birthday album compiled for Epstein, reportedly by Ghislaine Maxwell, in which Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal” in a handwritten message.
The new revelations cast Mandelson’s earlier explanations into doubt. When he was appointed as ambassador earlier this year, Mandelson claimed he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. However, the content of the emails suggests a much closer and more sympathetic relationship with Epstein than had been publicly disclosed.
Political Fallout for Keir Starmer
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who only a day earlier had expressed “confidence” in Mandelson, was forced to act quickly following the growing backlash. The scandal comes at a precarious time for the Labour government, with U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled to visit the UK next week — an event now clouded by controversy.
Starmer’s judgment is under scrutiny, particularly as this marks the second major shakeup in his administration within a week, following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over a tax issue related to a property purchase.
Critics are now raising questions about the thoroughness of the “extensive vetting process” that led to Mandelson’s appointment, especially considering his long and controversial political history.
James Roscoe Named Interim Ambassador
The UK government announced that James Roscoe, currently the Deputy Head of Mission in Washington, will serve as interim ambassador and will oversee arrangements during Trump’s state visit.
Roscoe is a seasoned diplomat and previously served as communications chief to Queen Elizabeth II, lending credibility to the move to stabilize the embassy’s leadership during this politically sensitive time.
A Career Marked by Controversy
Mandelson’s appointment to such a prestigious diplomatic post was always seen as unusual, given his political—not diplomatic—background. A former close ally of Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Mandelson had already resigned from government twice in the late 1990s and early 2000s amid various scandals.
Following his time in domestic politics, Mandelson served as a European Commissioner, representing the UK while it was still part of the European Union. His expertise in trade made him a strategic choice for dealing with Trump’s protectionist tendencies, and his efforts were credited with helping to secure a trade deal with the U.S. in May 2025, although some parts of that agreement remain incomplete.
Despite his political baggage, Mandelson was viewed by some as a skilled operator. His reputation as a backroom strategist and master of political spin earned him the moniker “Prince of Darkness” in British media circles.
But even his strongest defenders are now silent in the face of what many are calling an unforgivable lapse in judgment and a national embarrassment on the eve of a key diplomatic event.
The Epstein Scandal Casts a Wide Net
The renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s connections follows the release of documents by Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee, which included the birthday album from 2003. The album reportedly featured notes and letters from high-profile individuals including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and attorney Alan Dershowitz, alongside sexually suggestive content.
Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, more than a decade after his original conviction.
Mandelson’s inclusion in these documents and his repeated expressions of admiration for Epstein have made his continued service untenable, according to UK officials.
As the UK prepares to host President Trump, the scandal has thrown British foreign policy, political integrity, and diplomatic judgment into the spotlight, forcing the government to reassess how political ties and personal histories impact global relations.
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