Britain has dismissed Peter Mandelson from his post as ambassador to the United States following revelations about the extent of his ties with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement came from the foreign ministry on Thursday, marking a swift and significant political decision in response to new evidence that emerged this week.
Mandelson, a prominent Labour Party politician and influential figure during Tony Blair’s leadership, had faced mounting criticism in recent weeks after the publication of a birthday book. The book included a letter allegedly written by Mandelson, in which he described Epstein as “my best pal.” This revelation, coupled with further evidence from private emails, intensified pressure on the government to act.
According to the foreign ministry, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak requested that Foreign Secretary David Lammy withdraw Mandelson’s appointment after reviewing the newly surfaced material. “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 ministry stated.
Officials also confirmed that Mandelson had expressed in correspondence his belief that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged—information the ministry called “new and deeply concerning.”
Mandelson, once regarded as one of Labour’s most strategic thinkers and a central architect of its modernisation in the 1990s, was appointed ambassador earlier this year in what was seen as an attempt to strengthen Britain’s diplomatic standing in Washington. However, the resurfacing of his links to Epstein has derailed his tenure before it could take hold.
The dismissal underscores the political sensitivity surrounding associations with Epstein, whose high-profile network and criminal record continue to cast long shadows years after his death.
It also reflects the British government’s effort to preserve credibility with both domestic audiences and international partners amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with global elites.
