Peter Mandelson sacked as UK ambassador amid Epstein allegations

Peter Mandelson has been withdrawn as ambassador to the United States with immediate effect, following revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Stephen Doughty, the Foreign Office minister, told the Commons that Mandelson had been sacked, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

He said: "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. 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."

Doughty added that one key turning point was "Mandelson's suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein's first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged." He described this as “new information,” which prompted the withdrawal.

Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to foreign media, he said: "I foolishly relied on their word, which I regret to this day."

The emails in question, some of which were reportedly sent when Mandelson described Epstein as his “best pal,” urged the financier to “fight for early release” and assured him that “your friends stay with you and love you.” Mandelson wrote: “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.”

Mike Tapp, the immigration minister, described Mandelson’s messages to Epstein as “disturbing and sickening” and said it was “important that we get to the bottom of this.” Tapp added that the emails left “a bad taste in the mouth.”

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer insisted that Mandelson had his full confidence and had undergone thorough vetting procedures before being appointed. However, the Prime Minister declined to specify what he knew about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein.

Pressure is mounting from opposition parties. The Conservatives and Scottish National Party have called for Mandelson’s resignation, while the Liberal Democrats have demanded an investigation into whether he violated the diplomatic code. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev