UK’s Ex-Ambassador Mandelson Quits Labour Over Epstein Links
LONDON — Lord Peter Mandelson, a veteran British politician and former UK ambassador to the United States, has resigned from the Labour Party amid renewed scrutiny over his past associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, multiple media outlets reported.
Mandelson, 72, stepped down from Labour membership on Sunday, saying he did not want to cause further embarrassment to the party as new documents linked him to Epstein’s financial network. The revelations follow a release by the U.S. Department of Justice of files suggesting Epstein made three payments totaling about $75,000 (≈ £55,000) to accounts connected to Mandelson in 2003–2004.
In a letter to Labour’s general secretary cited by British media, Mandelson described the latest links as part of the “understandable furore” surrounding Epstein and said he is investigating the claims, which he maintains are false and unverified. He also expressed regret and apologized to the victims for having known Epstein.
Mandelson was sacked from his ambassadorial post in Washington in 2025 after earlier Epstein-related reports emerged during his tenure. His resignation from the party marks a further escalation of the political fallout from the files released last week.
The recent trove of documents also includes undated photographs showing Mandelson in informal settings alongside others, though details and context remain unclear. Mandelson has said he cannot recall the circumstances of such images.
Political reactions are emerging across the UK. Some lawmakers and commentators are calling for further investigation and accountability, while others focus on the broader implications for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson to a high-profile diplomatic post.
As of now, Mandelson’s departure underscores ongoing sensitivity around Epstein-related disclosures and their impact on international political figures and institutions.
Context in Brief
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Jeffrey Epstein was a U.S. financier convicted of sex offenses; his network and connections have sparked global scrutiny after the release of government files.
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Mandelson, a long-time Labour figure, previously held top positions including European Commissioner and cabinet minister before his ambassador role. His political legacy has been marked by past controversies and resignations.
