Wednesday, August 19, 2026

British PM Starmer fires UK’s ambassador to U.S. over Epstein files

“The depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment,” said the UK government.

• September 11, 2025
Peter Mandelson
Peter Mandelson [Credit; BBC]

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired Peter Mandelson from his role as ambassador to the U.S. over his newly-discovered close alliance with disgraced paedophile and financier, Jeffrey Epstein.

The Foreign Office on Thursday released a statement announcing Mr Mandelson’s termination and that the decision stemmed from “additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson”.

“The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment,” the statement said Thursday morning.

Mr Starmer, according to the statement, cannot set aside Mr Mandelson’s assertions revealed in the emails in what he claimed was the wrongful conviction of Mr Epstein. The British leader tacitly communicated that his administration had no place for Mr Mandelson’s ilk.

“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 In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect.”

The revelations came as U.S. Democratic congressmen made public the filings from Mr Epstein’s estate lawyers, whom they subpoenaed for documents, including his 50th Birthday Book, to better understand his relationship with President Donald Trump and to review how the government handled his case.

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