Mandelson Resigns from Lords as Police Launch Probe Over Epstein Email Scandal
Lord Peter Mandelson has announced his resignation from the House of Lords amidst a mounting police investigation into his communications with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The dramatic development follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer handing a dossier of extraordinary emails to the Metropolitan Police, suggesting the disgraced peer leaked sensitive government information while serving as Business Secretary.
Prime Minister's Scathing Condemnation
In an astonishing attack that has rocked Westminster, Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Lord Mandelson of letting "his country down" and warned that further damning revelations could emerge from the escalating scandal. The Prime Minister expressed being "appalled" by the contents of recently released Epstein files and described the alleged passing of highly sensitive government information as "disgraceful."
Sir Keir has ordered a comprehensive government review into all contact between Lord Mandelson and Epstein during the peer's tenure as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown's administration. This review will specifically examine communications surrounding the 2008 financial crisis aftermath, when the government was implementing measures to stabilise the economy.
Police Investigation and Legislative Action
The Metropolitan Police is expected to announce that Lord Mandelson is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This follows the Cabinet Office referring material to police authorities amid concerns that handling safeguards around "highly sensitive government information" had been compromised.
Downing Street has confirmed that officials are drafting legislation to strip Lord Mandelson of his peerage "as quickly as possible," with the process expected to take weeks rather than months. The Prime Minister's spokesman emphasised that only individuals operating in official capacities had access to the market-sensitive information surrounding the 2008 financial crash, and strict handling conditions were supposed to prevent anyone from financially benefiting from such knowledge.
Financial Transactions and Political Fallout
The scandal has deepened with revelations that bank statements from 2003 and 2004 appear to show Lord Mandelson received payments totalling $75,000 from Epstein. The Prime Minister described it as "gobsmacking" that a politician could claim not to recall such significant financial transactions, warning that this risks undermining public faith in the political system.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has revealed that he requested an investigation five months ago into "the sale of assets arising from the banking collapse and communications about them between Lord Mandelson and Mr Epstein." Emails between the two men suggested the government had "saleable assets" that could be sold to the private sector to reduce national debt.
Wider Political and Royal Repercussions
The controversy has generated significant political fallout, with the Conservative Party attempting to push a binding vote in the Commons to force ministers to reveal details of vetting procedures before Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador last year. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the peer's actions as "a betrayal on so many levels," while there are continued calls for his removal from the Privy Council.
In related developments, Prince Edward became the first member of the royal family to comment on the recently released Epstein documents, emphasising the importance of remembering the victims. Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson's charity announced it would close "for the foreseeable future" following new revelations about the former duchess's friendship with Epstein.
Mandelson's Defence and Public Response
In a series of interviews conducted over several days, Lord Mandelson insisted that Epstein's money did not influence his governmental actions and rejected suggestions that he was open to bribery claims. He admitted that his partner had accepted funding from Epstein for an osteopathy course but maintained this had no bearing on his official duties.
The peer suggested he believed he still had a future in British public life, stating that "hiding under a rock would be a disproportionate response to a handful of misguided historical emails, which I deeply regret sending." However, mounting political pressure ultimately compelled his resignation from the House of Lords, marking a dramatic fall from grace for one of New Labour's most prominent figures.
The scandal continues to unfold as authorities examine the full extent of communications between government officials and the disgraced financier, with implications for political accountability and public trust in Britain's democratic institutions.
