The Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which has long dogged figures in the United States, is now threatening to topple the British government. Revelations in newly released documents have sent shockwaves through the ruling Labour Party, with former US ambassador Peter Mandelson at the centre of the controversy.
Mandelson, 72, a veteran Labour strategist and minister, faces allegations that he shared sensitive government information with Epstein in 2009 while serving as business minister. London police have launched a criminal investigation into claims that Mandelson leaked emails and market-sensitive data, including alerting Epstein that the UK would act to prop up the euro after the financial crash. Separately, Mandelson and his husband reportedly received payments totalling at least $75,000 from Epstein.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced intense scrutiny over his decision to appoint Mandelson as ambassador to the US, despite knowing of his links to Epstein. In a statement to parliament, Starmer said Mandelson had 'betrayed our country' and lied repeatedly about his relationship with Epstein. 'If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government,' Starmer added.
Mandelson, who has now quit the Labour Party, has a long history of scandal. He resigned from government twice before: in 1998 over an undisclosed loan to buy a house, and in 2001 over allegations of helping a billionaire obtain a passport. Despite this, Starmer brought him back to advise on the 2024 election campaign and later appointed him ambassador. Mandelson was fired from that role after emails revealed his continued friendship with Epstein.
The latest cache of Epstein documents, released by the US Department of Justice, has made previous allegations seem minor. The scandal threatens to destabilise Starmer's government, with questions mounting over his judgment and the extent of Mandelson's involvement with Epstein.
