UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson Sacked Over Jeffrey Epstein Email Links

LONDON – In a swift move just days before President Donald Trump‘s anticipated state visit to the United Kingdom, the UK government has dismissed its ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, following revelations of his past communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The controversy stems from emails Mandelson, a former Cabinet minister and EU trade commissioner, sent to Epstein in 2008. These communications, published Wednesday by The Sun newspaper, show Mandelson expressing support for Epstein after his 2006 indictment, with one message reading, “I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened.” Another email stated, “Your friends stay with you and love you.” Epstein later pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting sex with a minor.

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty confirmed to Parliament on Thursday that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was immediately withdrawing Mandelson from his ambassadorial post. The Foreign Office stated that the emails revealed a “materially different” extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein than previously understood, particularly highlighting a message where Mandelson lamented Epstein’s conviction as wrongful and suggested challenging it.

The firing complicates Prime Minister Starmer’s efforts to foster relations with the Trump administration, especially as President Trump is scheduled to arrive in the UK on Tuesday for a state visit that will include engagements with King Charles III. Mandelson will be replaced by his deputy, James Roscoe, who will oversee the upcoming visit.

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