Mandelson Emails Reveal 'Liberation Day' Celebration for Epstein's Prison Release
Fresh revelations have emerged from the latest tranche of the so-called 'Epstein files', shedding further light on the connections between Lord Peter Mandelson and the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The documents, released by US authorities, include email exchanges that appear to show the former UK ambassador to the United States celebrating Epstein's release from jail in crude and controversial terms.
Crude Exchanges and Celebratory Messages
One email thread from July 2009, shortly after Epstein served 13 months in prison for soliciting prostitution with a minor, seems to capture Mandelson asking how they should mark the occasion. Epstein responded with a lewd joke, suggesting "grace and modesty (those are the names of two strippers)". In reply, Lord Mandelson wrote: "From now on, grace and modesty sd (should) be discovered in London."
The emails can be directly traced to Mandelson, as his BT Internet email address was left unredacted in one message, and his name appears in another. When approached for comment, he reportedly told the Daily Mail that the messages were his but claimed "they are his [Epstein's] observations not mine", adding that he was advising Epstein to "find grace and modesty not strippers".
Further Inappropriate Banter and Political Backlash
Additional emails from 2009 show Mandelson asking Epstein "How is freedom feeling?", to which the sex offender replied: "she feels fresh, firm, and creamy". Mandelson responded with "Naughty boy". In another message, he told Epstein upon his release: "Liberation day ! X."
These crude exchanges have sparked widespread disgust among political figures. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn expressed outrage on social media, writing: "Sick bastards." The revelations come as Lord Mandelson faces a criminal investigation and has resigned from the House of Lords, piling further pressure on the Labour grandee.
Arrangements for Manhattan Stay and Royal Connections
The document dump also includes messages from 2012 that appear to show arrangements for Lord Mandelson to stay at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. In one exchange, Mandelson apparently said: "I want to stay. Let's go for it, and just be careful," which was then forwarded by Epstein to his then-personal assistant Lesley Groff. Ms Groff expressed concern, writing: "Does that mean pete Mandelson is staying with Jeffrey at 71st street during his visit???" and "Oh wow. Ok. I hope the news people don't find out!".
Furthermore, the documents link Mandelson with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King's disgraced brother. In a March 2011 email, Epstein asked for "suggestions" as questions mounted over Andrew's ties to him, following the publication of a photo showing Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre. Mandelson appeared to advise that Andrew should "sit tight", referencing a meeting between the then-prince and the Queen to discuss the unfolding scandal.
This advice came after the picture of Andrew with the teenage Ms Giuffre, who alleged she was forced to have sex with him three times, was first published in February of that year. The ongoing drip of revelations continues to fuel public and political scrutiny, highlighting the deep and troubling connections within this high-profile case.
