Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States following revelations about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Foreign Office confirmed that Mandelson failed to disclose the full extent of his relationship with Epstein when appointed.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs that Lord Mandelson had not revealed emails in which he suggested Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution was wrongful and should be challenged. A Foreign Office spokesperson said the prime minister asked the foreign secretary to withdraw Mandelson after reviewing the new information.
The decision came after Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed disgust at the messages, and Starmer reviewed the material on Wednesday night. Government sources said Starmer acted during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday morning. Mandelson had not seen the emails since they were from a deleted account.
Mandelson's departure complicates preparations for a state visit by US President Donald Trump, who also faces questions about his ties to Epstein. James Roscoe, deputy head of mission in Washington, will serve as interim ambassador. Former Labour foreign secretary David Miliband and former EU commissioner Cathy Ashton are among potential replacements.
Opposition leaders criticised Starmer's judgment. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey demanded a Commons statement, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of dithering. The SNP's Stephen Flynn said Starmer's authority was on the line. Some Labour MPs expressed anger, though former deputy leader Harriet Harman blamed Mandelson for putting himself forward despite the emails.
