Mandelson Sacked as US Ambassador Over Epstein Emails
The political world has been thrown into turmoil after Peter Mandelson was abruptly removed from his position as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the emergence of previously unseen emails that revealed a much deeper and more troubling relationship between Mandelson and the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
It was explained by the Foreign Office that these emails painted a picture “materially different” from what had been understood at the time of Mandelson’s appointment. In some of the correspondence, Mandelson even went so far as to suggest Epstein’s first conviction had been wrongful, casting doubt on the legal process and showing a level of support that was not known publicly before.
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The fallout was immediate and fierce. Many within the Labour Party expressed disgust. Jo White, a Labour MP, said the emails “sickened” her and that Mandelson had not been open or honest with the prime minister. Andy McDonald went further, saying there was “widespread revulsion” across the party, while Emily Thornberry claimed the Foreign Office had prevented proper scrutiny of his appointment. From outside Labour, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch demanded answers about what Starmer knew and when, calling the episode a serious lapse in judgment.
The timing could hardly have been worse. Mandelson had been seen as a key operator in smoothing relations with President Donald Trump, especially ahead of a major state visit next week. Now, his sudden removal has left James Roscoe, the deputy head of mission at the Washington embassy, stepping in as interim ambassador. While Roscoe is experienced, having served as ambassador to the UN General Assembly and even worked as Queen Elizabeth II’s communications secretary, he was not expected to handle such high-stakes diplomacy at such short notice.
Critics have described the entire situation as an embarrassment for the government. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admitted that Mandelson was a “talented operator” but said the appointment had clearly been a risk that backfired. Others, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, demanded Starmer explain to Parliament why Mandelson had been appointed in the first place, given the risks already known about his friendship with Epstein.
For Mandelson himself, this is yet another dramatic exit in a career full of them. Once dubbed Labour’s “Prince of Darkness,” he has resigned from high office multiple times before. This time, however, the damage has not only been personal but also diplomatic, raising questions about Britain’s credibility with its closest ally.
Starmer’s team insists the decision was made as soon as the new information was revealed, but the bigger question now hovers over his judgment. Was the warning ignored when Mandelson was first nominated, or did the new evidence truly change everything? Whatever the answer, this episode has left the prime minister battling political fallout just as he prepares for one of the most delicate diplomatic weeks of his premiership.
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