LONDON — Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, was fired Thursday after new revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer asked his foreign ministry to withdraw Mandelson, saying that newly released emails show that the extent of his relationship with the late convicted sex offender was greater than previously known.
Mandelson, a veteran Labour Party politician who was key to its success under former leader Tony Blair, has come under scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein after a birthday book was released including a letter purportedly from the now ambassador describing Epstein as “my best pal.”
Starmer had backed Mandelson — who is not a career diplomat and instead was appointed for his political skills and contacts in Washington — a day earlier but changed course amid growing pressure from his party.
“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,” Britain’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“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.”
The ministry said the revelation of Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged was “new information.”
“In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect,” it added in the statement.
In an interview with Britain’s Sun newspaper released on Wednesday, Mandelson said he felt a “profound sense of sympathy for those people, those women who suffered as a result of his behavior and his illegal criminal activities.”
“I feel a tremendous sense of regret not only that I met him in the first place, but that I continued the association and I took at face value the lies that he fed me and many others,” he said, describing Epstein as a “charismatic criminal liar.”
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