LONDON (AP) - U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer took dramatic action on Thursday by firing the country's ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson. This decision came in the wake of revelations regarding Mandelson's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Just days prior to President Donald Trump's scheduled state visit to the U.K., Starmer dismissed Mandelson following the release of emails that showcased Mandelson's support for Epstein, even when Epstein was facing serious legal troubles related to sex offenses. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty informed Parliament that these emails underscored the "depth and extent" of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, indicating that it was "materially different" from what was known during Mandelson's appointment as ambassador last year.
One email in particular, referenced by Doughty, included Mandelson's suggestion that Epstein's first conviction in 2008 was "wrongful and should be challenged." Mandelson had begun his role in Washington in February after what Starmer's government described as an "extensive" vetting process. He has since expressed deep regret over his previous associations with Epstein, claiming ignorance of his criminal activities.
In a letter to embassy staff reported by the BBC, Mandelson expressed, "Being ambassador here has been the privilege of my life. The circumstances surrounding the announcement today are ones which I deeply regret. I continue to feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein 20 years ago and the plight of his victims."
This dismissal comes on the heels of Starmer affirming his "confidence" in Mandelson just the day before. The incident marks another setback for Starmer, who is preparing for Trump's visit amid expected protests and controversies. Epstein, who took his own life in a prison in August 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges, had a long history of legal issues stemming from his earlier convictions.
Mandelson referred to Epstein as his "best pal" in emails reported by The Sun newspaper, including one unsettling correspondence in which he had advised Epstein to "fight for early release" prior to the start of his prison sentence. Mandelson’s ties to Epstein drew renewed scrutiny after the release of a birthday album compiled for Epstein, which included a note from Trump. In that album, Mandelson described Epstein as "my best pal."
The controversy surrounding Mandelson follows the recent resignation of Starmer's deputy, Angela Rayner, due to a tax issue, prompting a major cabinet reshuffle amid growing challenges during Starmer's 14 months in office. Critics, including Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, suggested that Starmer's indecisiveness contributed to the recent political turmoil.
Mandelson's political career has not been without its own controversies, having previously resigned from former Prime Minister Tony Blair's government twice in 1998 and 2001. After his second resignation, he served as a European Commissioner before returning to British politics in 2008 under Blair's successor, Gordon Brown.
Notably, Mandelson's expertise in trade was seen as beneficial in dealing with the Trump administration over tariffs on British goods, leading to a trade deal struck in May, though final details remain unresolved. His reputation as a highly skilled, albeit ruthless, political operator earned him the nickname "Prince of Darkness." It is uncommon for a politician rather than a career diplomat to hold an ambassadorial position, particularly one as pivotal as that in Washington. Mandelson was not an obvious candidate for the role, having previously labeled Trump as a "danger to the world," a statement he later acknowledged as "ill-judged and wrong."
In light of Mandelson's departure, the government has appointed James Roscoe, the U.K.'s deputy head of mission in Washington and former communications chief to the late Queen Elizabeth II, as the interim ambassador. He will oversee Trump's upcoming state visit.
