Britain’s former U.S. ambassador, Peter Mandelson, is under renewed scrutiny after newly released documents suggested he received money from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and leaked a confidential government briefing to him.
Late Sunday, Mandelson left the Labour Party to avoid “further embarrassment,” following his dismissal from the ambassador role last year amid revelations about his links to Epstein.
The files indicated Mandelson received donations totaling $75,000 from Epstein, including an apparent $25,000 payment. Mandelson said he had no recollection of any payments.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Mandelson should be removed from the House of Lords, the upper chamber of parliament, while British police confirmed they are reviewing “a number of reports” of alleged misconduct in public office to determine if they meet the threshold for a criminal investigation.
Potential Investigations
Among documents released by the U.S. Justice Department, an email suggested Mandelson shared a confidential government briefing with Epstein. The memo, sent by an adviser to then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, outlined economic policy options, including the potential sale of non-strategic assets to reduce debt.
Mandelson forwarded the email to Epstein, noting, “interesting note that’s gone to the PM,” to which Epstein replied, “What saleable assets?” Opposition politicians have called for a police investigation into whether Mandelson breached confidentiality rules during his time as a minister in Labour governments from 1997 to 2010.
Mandelson, in a letter to the Labour Party, apologized for being linked again to the “understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein,” but said he believed allegations of financial payments from Epstein were false and that he would investigate them.
Starmer’s spokesperson said Mandelson should not remain a member of the House of Lords, but added that the prime minister cannot unilaterally remove him. “He is calling on those in the Lords to work with the government to modernize disciplinary procedures in the House to allow for the easier removal of Lords who have brought the House into disrepute,” the spokesperson said. The prime minister has also instructed the cabinet secretary to review all information regarding Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein.
Mandelson could voluntarily retire from the House of Lords, but forcing his removal would require legislation. He is currently on leave of absence. The Labour Party said it supported his resignation and noted that disciplinary action was already underway prior to it.
Mandelson, a former European Union trade commissioner, was a key figure in Labour’s electoral success in the late 1990s and has previously faced controversy in domestic politics. He resigned as trade minister in 1998 over a loan from a fellow minister and again in 2001 over a passport scandal, in which he was later cleared.
He came under renewed scrutiny last year after U.S. lawmakers released documents, including a letter in which he called Epstein “my best pal,” prompting his dismissal as Britain’s ambassador.
Separately, Starmer said on Saturday that former Prince Andrew should testify before a U.S. congressional committee following new revelations about his links to Epstein.