Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson from his post as British ambassador to the United States due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs that Lord Mandelson had failed to disclose the extent of his friendship with Epstein, who was accused of trafficking minors and was found dead in his prison cell before his trial. The minister added that the prime minister had not been aware of the correspondence between Mandelson and Epstein.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador.”
They added: “The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from what was known at the time of his appointment. In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
Several government sources said that Starmer took the decision during a meeting with Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, on Thursday morning.
