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The British ambassador to the U.S., Lord Peter Mandelson, has been sacked as the fallout over the Epstein files continues.
Earlier this week, the House Oversight Committee released a birthday book compiled by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.
Among the messages included in the book was a lengthy entry from Mandelson, who shared photos of himself on Epstein’s private island and described Epstein as his “best pal.”
- Lord Peter Mandelson was fired as UK ambassador to the U.S. after messages revealed in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday book and leaked emails linked them closely.
- The leaked 2008 emails show Mandelson urged Epstein to fight for early release amid child prostitution charges, deepening controversy.
- Mandelson’s handwritten note described Epstein as an intelligent, sharp-witted man and his “best pal,” with photos on Epstein’s island.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer ordered Mandelson’s withdrawal after new evidence showed his extreme closeness to Epstein was previously unknown.
Lord Peter Mandelson has been sacked as U.S. ambassador
Image credits: Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images
With the book putting their relationship back in the spotlight, emails from 2008 were then leaked.
Those emails showed Mandelson urging Epstein to fight for early release as he faced charges of procuring a child for prostitution.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced growing calls to sack Mandelson, who was appointed ambassador in December 2024, following the revelations.
“In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as Ambassador,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
“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.”
Image credits: Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
“In particular Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect.”
Mandelson’s handwritten note to Epstein in 2003 described the sex offender as an “intelligent, sharp-witted man.”
Several photographs were included in his entry, one showing Mandelson wearing shorts and staring at the sea, while another showed him with two women.
Another captured Mandelson wearing a dressing gown as he laughed with Epstein, one was of a tropical island, and others showed a person parachuting and someone kayaking.
Image credits: House Oversight Committee
“Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call ‘mysterious’ parachuted into my life. You would spend many hours just waiting for him to turn up,” the note read.
“And often, no sooner were you used to having him around, you would suddenly be alone again. Leaving you with some ‘interesting’ friends to entertain instead.”
Image credits: House Oversight Committee
“Or just some dogs to keep you company (he wasn’t always so keen on them). But then he would parachute back in. Very occasionally, taking you by surprise in some far off places.
“Or in one of his glorious homes he likes to share with his friends (yum yum). But wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal!”
Mandelson wrote Epstein a message in his 50th birthday book
Image credits: House Oversight Committee
On Tuesday, September 9, Mandelson gave an exclusive interview on Harry Cole Saves The West and revealed further “embarrassing” revelations about him would come out.
He said he found his birthday letter to Epstein “very embarrassing” but said they were written before he was indicted on any charges.
Mandelson described feeling a “tremendous sense” of sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
“I regret, very, very deeply indeed, carrying on that association with him for far longer than I should have done,” Mandelson said.
“I regret very much that I fell for his lies,” Mandelson added, saying he “accepted assurances” from Epstein at “face value.”
Mandelson said he never saw any wrongdoing or evidence of wrongdoing.
He also told Cole that he knew “very embarrassing” emails and messages between him and Epstein would be released.
A day later, The Sun reported on leaked emails circulating in Washington between Mandelson and Epstein from 2008.
In those emails, Mandelson told Epstein, “Your friends stay with you and love you.”
Another shows that before Epstein reached a plea deal with prosecutors for an 18-month jail sentence, Mandelson urged him, “Fight for early release.”
“I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened,” one email read.
Leaked emails between Mandelson and Epstein surfaced this week
Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
“I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain. You have to be incredibly resilient, fight for early release and be philosophical about it as much as you can.
“Everything can be turned into an opportunity and that you will come through it and be stronger for it.
“The whole thing has been years of torture and now you have to show the world how big a person you are, and how strong.”
A separate email between the pair, sent on private email accounts, provided strategic advice: “Reminder. You are fighting back so you need strategy, strategy, strategy. Remember the Art of War.”
Starmer had initially backed Mandelson and insisted due process had been followed before his appointment.
But in light of the leaked emails, Starmer asked Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to withdraw him as ambassador to the United States.
Image credits: Carl Court/Getty Images
Opposition MPs are now demanding that Starmer answer questions on what he knew of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein before his appointment.
It comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to grapple with the Epstein fallout, with an alleged birthday message from him also included in Epstein’s birthday book.
The entry is of a crude drawing of a woman and references a “wonderful secret.”
Trump has denied writing the message and has called the Epstein files a “Democratic hoax.”
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