Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson Photographed with Jeffrey Epstein in Newly Released Image
A newly unearthed photograph has emerged showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson in bathrobes alongside Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first known image of the trio together. The picture, believed to have been taken on Martha’s Vineyard, an island off Cape Cod in Massachusetts favoured by the wealthy, captures them relaxing outside at a wooden table with mugs decorated with the American flag.
Discovery and Context of the Epstein-Related Photograph
The image was uncovered by ITV News and forms part of the millions of Epstein-related files released by the US Department of Justice earlier this year. No specific date or location was provided for the photograph, but a similar picture of Mandelson appeared in Epstein’s 50th birthday book from 2003, where Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal”.
In that book, Mandelson described Epstein as an “intelligent sharp-witted man” in a handwritten note, which was provided to the House committee on oversight and reform last year. Epstein, who killed himself in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, had a history of criminal convictions, including jail time in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Public Fallout and Legal Investigations
Both Mandelson and Mountbatten-Windsor, the former duke of York, have faced significant public scrutiny over their relationships with Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles and given notice to vacate his 30-room home in Windsor. He was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sharing confidential material with Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy, though he has always denied any wrongdoing.
Mandelson was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to Washington last September and resigned from the House of Lords in February due to his ties to Epstein. He was also arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he leaked sensitive government information to Epstein during his tenure as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s cabinet. Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers stated last week that he would cooperate with the police investigation. Both individuals have since been released under investigation.
Political Repercussions and Ethical Inquiries
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced scrutiny for appointing Mandelson as the UK ambassador to Washington. On Thursday, Starmer apologised again for his handling of the appointment, saying, “It was me that made a mistake, and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of [Jeffrey] Epstein, and I do that.” This followed the release of 147 pages of documents related to Mandelson by the UK government.
On Friday night, Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s independent adviser on ethics, stated there were no grounds to investigate whether Starmer had breached the ministerial code. The Tories had questioned Starmer’s absence in published documents regarding Mandelson’s appointment, but Magnus noted that the documentation indicated the relevant process for a political appointee was followed.
Additional Details from the Epstein Files
Mandelson and Mountbatten-Windsor appear multiple times in the Epstein files, including images of Mountbatten-Windsor bent over an unidentified female and lying across the laps of women, as well as photos of Mandelson in his underwear and receiving a foot massage. It is important to note that there is no suggestion that appearing in these documents implies any wrongdoing by either individual.
