UK’s ex-ambassador Mandelson quits Labour over Epstein links, reports say | Politics News
Peter Mandelson, the UK’s former ambassador to the U.S., has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party amid renewed scrutiny over his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. His decision comes after the emergence of emails and documents linking him to Epstein, prompting Mandelson to step down to prevent further embarrassment for the Labour Party.
In a letter reported by major UK media outlets, Mandelson expressed remorse over the latest revelations connecting him to Epstein. He acknowledged reports suggesting he received payments totaling $75,000 from Epstein during the early 2000s but claimed these allegations were unsubstantiated, stating he needed to investigate them further. He reiterated his lack of recollection regarding the payments and questioned the authenticity of the documents.
Mandelson’s association with Epstein has been under scrutiny since his removal from his ambassadorial position in Washington last year, following the initial unveiling of his connections with the disgraced financier. The situation escalated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) release of new investigative files on Epstein, which included not only financial records but also a revealing image of Mandelson alongside a woman, whose identity was obscured.
In his resignation letter, Mandelson conveyed deep regret for having known Epstein and reiterated an apology to the victims whose voices should have been heard long ago. He emphasized his lifelong commitment to the Labour Party’s values and defended his decision as one made in the party’s best interests.
Mandelson’s resignation follows reporting from the Financial Times and the BBC on documents indicating he communicated with Epstein about political matters while he served as the UK’s business secretary. Specifically, emails suggested that he advised Epstein on how to counter a government tax on bank bonuses by urging a prominent banker to apply pressure on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It’s important to note that the inclusion of many prominent figures in Epstein’s files does not inherently suggest wrongdoing. Nonetheless, Mandelson’s connections to Epstein seem to have irrevocably affected his political career, leading to his decision to withdraw from the Labour Party to mitigate further controversy. His resignation illustrates the ongoing repercussions of Epstein’s crimes and the lingering impact on individuals associated with him, even indirectly.
