U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
On Thursday, Overseas Workplace Minister Stephen Doughty stated within the Home of Commons that the choice got here within the wake of the publication of emails Mandelson despatched to Epstein within the 2000s, through which he gave his assist to the disgraced financier even when he was dealing with jail for intercourse offences.
Doughty stated the correspondence confirmed that the “depth and extent” of Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein was “materially totally different” from what was recognized on the time of his appointment final yr.
Peter Mandelson attends the King’s Belief 4th Annual World Gala on Might 1, 2025, in New York Metropolis.
Cindy Ord / WireImage
“In mild of the extra data within the emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has requested the overseas secretary to withdraw him as ambassador to the USA,” Doughty stated.
He pointed to Mandelson’s suggestion within the emails that Epstein’s first conviction in 2008 was “wrongful and must be challenged.”
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Mandelson, who took up his function in February, stated in an interview with British journalist Harry Cole on Wednesday that he “deeply” regretted his friendship with Epstein, after a word he wrote to the convicted intercourse offender was launched by the U.S. Home Oversight Committee in a “birthday e book” gifted to the previous New York Metropolis businessman on his fiftieth birthday.
A part of Peter Mandelson’s word written to Jeffrey Epstein on his fiftieth birthday.
The U.S. Oversight Committee
Starmer initially confirmed assist for Mandelson after the discharge of the word, stating that his authorities nonetheless had full confidence in Mandelson and that it was “centered clearly on our relationship with the US, with President Trump coming for an unprecedented second state go to subsequent week.”
Mandelson instructed Cole that he “accepted assurances that he [Epstein] had given me about his indictment, his authentic felony case in Florida. Like very many individuals, I took that at face worth,” a choice he stated he wished he had by no means made.
Mandelson stated Wednesday that he doesn’t consider he’s named within the Epstein information, however admitted there isn’t a doubt there’s extra “correspondence” between him and Epstein that’s “going to floor.”
The U.Ok. authorities introduced that James Roscoe, deputy head of mission in Washington, will function interim ambassador and oversee U.S. President Donald Trump’s state go to. Roscoe is a profession diplomat and former communications chief to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Starmer’s judgment is being more and more scrutinized, significantly over his appointment of Mandelson, who is not any stranger to controversy, having twice resigned from former prime minister Tony Blair’s authorities in 1998 and 2001.
— With information from The Related Press
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