'Sickening and disturbing' emails US ambassador sent to Jeffrey Epstein as Keir Starmer sacks him
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and sex abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Peter Mandelson has been sacked from his role as British ambassador to the United States after his 'sickening and disturbing' emails to Jeffrey Epstein were released.
Although Keir Starmer stated his confidence in the 71-year-old on Wednesday, it was confirmed on Thursday 11 September that he has been withdrawn from the position which he has held since February 2025.
Mandelson spoke earlier this week about his long-held friendship with the disgraced financier and sex offender, suggesting that he wasn't introduced to young women in the same way that others were because he is a gay man.
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While he admitted that more 'embarrassing details' were still to come out about his relationship with Epstein, after a '50th birthday book' was released in the US which alleged contained notes from Mandelson, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.
Mandelson owned up to his own messages, whereas Trump has denied any association with the note in his name, which features a crude drawing of a woman's body.
In his emails Mandelson, who once described Epstein as his 'best pal', urged the disgraced financier to 'fight for early release' and assured him that 'your friends stay with you and love you'.
“I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened. I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain," he added.
Mike Tapp, the immigration minister, said the messages were 'disturbing and sickening' and it’s 'important that we get to the bottom of this'.
After more details of the politician's affinity with the billionaire were released, it seems his position became untenable, and he was removed from his position after just seven months serving as the ambassador to the US.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed today: "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.
"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.
"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."
In an interview with Harry Cole, Mandelson admitted that his association with the 'charismatic criminal liar' continued far longer than it should have.
He said: "I feel a tremendous sense of sympathy for those people, those women, who suffered as a result of his behaviour and his illegal criminal activities."
Epstein took his own life in 2019 shortly before his trial, while his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being found guilty of child sex trafficking.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Politics, US News
James Moorhouse