By Rachael Burford
Copyright standard
Peter Mandelson has been sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US over his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Keir Starmer told the Labour grandee to “withdraw” from the role, a Foreign Office minister confirmed on Thursday morning.
It comes after emails, unearthed by the Sun and Bloomberg, show Lord Mandelson had supported Epstein when the banker was being investigated for sexual offences.
Stephen Doughty told the Commons that the ambassador was removed as Britain’s most senior diplomat in Washington last night.
“In light of additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as ambassador to the United States,” Mr Doughty said.
“The emails show that the depth and extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.”
He added that Lord Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s “first convicton was wrongful”, had been a major point in the Prime Minister’s decision to sack him.
Lord Mandelson is reported to have told Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
He told him, “I think the world of you” the day before the disgraced late banker began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008.
Mr Doughty said: “In particular, Lord Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information.
“And in light of that, and mindful, as we all are, of the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
It comes after the Prime Minister on Wednesday insisted he still had “confidence” in Lord Mandelson when he faced questions in the Commons over a 2003 birthday note in which the peer described Epstein as his “best pal”.
The timing of his sacking causes a diplomatic headache ahead of Donald Trump’s state visit next week, with the US president facing questions over his own ties with Epstein.
The Liberal Democrats have said the allegations surrounding Lord Mandelson “cast a damning shadow” and questions remain about what the Government knew.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Prime Minister should come before Parliament to explain why he was appointed US ambassador in the first place when some details of his relationship with Epstein were already known.
Sir Ed said in a statement: “The Prime Minister now needs to appoint an ambassador who will stand up to Trump, not cosy up to him and his cronies.
“He also needs to come before Parliament and explain why Lord Mandelson was appointed in the first place, given everything the Government knew then.
“This Government seems to be lurching from one crisis to another. It desperately needs to get a grip on fixing the economy and public services so badly damaged by the Conservatives.”
Lord Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein had been known about for many year, but emails appear to showthat the relationship continued after the crimes committed by the financier had emerged.
The cache of documents obtained by Bloomberg showed that on the day before Epstein reported to jail in June 2008, Lord Mandelson told him “your friends stay with you and love you”.
He said: “You have to be incredibly resilient, fight for early release and be philosophical about it as much as you can.
“The whole thing has been years of torture and now you have to show the world how big a person you are and how strong.”
Lord Mandelson’s position had appeared increasingly precarious in recent days after the release of the emails drew public criticism from members of the Government.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “completely disgusted” by the messages, while Home Office minister Mike Tapp said they were”really disturbing and sickening”.
