LONDON — Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to Washington and prominent Labour Party figure, has resigned from his political affiliations following explosive new revelations about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The development marks another dramatic turn in the career of one of Britain’s most skilled yet controversial political operators.
Mandelson’s resignation from the governing Labour Party on Sunday came in response to allegations contained within over 3 million documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice. These documents reportedly indicate that Mandelson received substantial payments totaling $75,000 from Epstein accounts two decades ago. While Mandelson has questioned the authenticity of bank records and denies recollection of receiving these funds, he stated he was stepping aside to prevent “further embarrassment” to the party.
The released correspondence reveals extensive communication between Mandelson and Epstein, including emails from 2009 suggesting Mandelson, then a UK government minister, offered to lobby officials regarding banking bonus taxes. One particularly compromising photograph shows Mandelson in his underwear near an unidentified woman in a bathrobe.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who previously dismissed Mandelson from his ambassadorial position over earlier Epstein revelations, now faces mounting pressure to ensure Mandelson testifies in U.S. investigations. Starmer has additionally called for Mandelson’s resignation from the House of Lords, Parliament’s unelected upper chamber where Mandelson holds lifetime membership and the title Lord Mandelson since 2008.
Cabinet minister Steve Reed emphasized that Mandelson, like Prince Andrew, bears a “moral obligation” to assist Epstein’s victims. “If anybody has information or evidence that they can share that might help to understand what’s gone on and bring justice for those victims, then they should share it,” Reed stated.
The situation presents complex constitutional challenges, as removing Mandelson from the Lords would require parliamentary legislation—a process last undertaken over a century ago. A spokesman for Starmer acknowledged that while the Prime Minister believes Mandelson should not remain in the Lords, he lacks the direct authority to remove him.
This development represents the latest chapter in Mandelson’s turbulent political journey. The architect of Labour’s centrist “New Labour” transformation under Tony Blair, Mandelson previously resigned twice from government over financial and ethical allegations before remarkably returning to high office. His recent appointment as Washington ambassador capitalized on his trade expertise and connections with wealth circles, but ultimately proved unsustainable as Epstein connections continued to surface.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sexually abusing dozens of girls, having previously avoided prosecution through a controversial plea deal in Florida.