Lord Mandelson Confronts Renewed Pressure Over Epstein Financial Links
Lord Mandelson is confronting renewed political pressure today over his connections to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, following explosive claims that Epstein transferred $75,000 to him during his time as a Member of Parliament. The latest substantial release of documents from the United States has raised serious new questions about the financial relationship between the New Labour architect and the disgraced financier.
Bank Statements Reveal Alleged Payments
Reportedly included within the newly disclosed files are images of bank statements that suggest Lord Mandelson received two separate payments of $25,000 each in June 2004. Furthermore, the documents allegedly list him as a beneficiary for an additional $25,000 that was sent to his partner. Crucially, Lord Mandelson was serving as an MP at that precise time, yet no record exists of these substantial gifts being declared through the appropriate parliamentary channels, as required by transparency rules that were firmly in place during that period.
Official Responses and Denials
A spokesman representing the peer informed the Financial Times that Lord Mandelson has "no record or recollection of receiving any such payments". The BBC has reported that Lord Mandelson has denied the authenticity of these documents, although he did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment this morning. This development follows Lord Mandelson's repeated public apologies for maintaining a friendship with Epstein and his current leave of absence from the House of Lords.
Ministerial Calls for Explanation
In broadcast interviews this morning, Communities Secretary Steve Reed was directly questioned about whether Lord Mandelson should face expulsion from the Upper House. Speaking to Sky News, Mr Reed stated: "I think before taking any action like that, we need to understand exactly what's happened. You're asking me here about something that happened nearly 20 years ago. I don't know the full detail of it... I don't know whether he declared it or not, and he should have done – the declaration rules had been brought in by then – so I think it would be for Peter Mandelson to explain whether or not that money was properly declared, and if not, then he will need to account for that."
When pressed by the BBC about whether Lord Mandelson had been fully truthful regarding his Epstein links, Mr Reed responded: "Well, the reason he was removed as ambassador to the US is because there were things he had not disclosed. Now I don't know how far that lack of disclosure goes. I think he should answer questions about his own life, not me."
Further Revelations and Historical Context
Additional emails released on Friday as part of three million documents related to the child sex offender reveal that Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson's Brazilian husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, to cover the costs of an osteopathy course. Da Silva emailed Epstein on September 7, 2009 – merely two months after the paedophile's release from prison, where he served 12 months of an 18-month sentence for child sex offences – specifically requesting financial assistance.
Lord Mandelson's association with Epstein began around 2002 and persisted until 2011, spanning his tenure as a cabinet minister under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. The former ambassador was dismissed from his position last September after a 2003 'birthday book' for Epstein surfaced containing a message from Mandelson addressing the convicted sex offender as "my best pal". In that same message, Lord Mandelson told Epstein "I think the world of you" and advised him to "fight for early release" from his jail term.
Travel Records and Public Criticism
Flight documentation indicates that Lord Mandelson travelled on Epstein's private jet, infamously nicknamed the 'Lolita Express', and stayed at multiple properties owned by Epstein, including residences in New York, Palm Beach, and his private Caribbean island. Previously published photographs have shown Lord Mandelson wearing a bathrobe and swimming trunks in settings connected to Epstein.
On Friday, Lord Mandelson issued a formal statement acknowledging: "I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered. I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the actual truth about him after his death."
Political Fallout and Wider Implications
Critics have intensified their demands, arguing that Lord Mandelson should be stripped of his peerage and expelled from the Labour Party entirely. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp told Sky News that the principle of cooperation with investigations should extend to Lord Mandelson, stating: "I certainly agree that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should give all the assistance he possibly can to any official body investigating this, whether it's the police, the FBI or indeed the US Congress. The same of course, would apply to Peter Mandelson, who appears to be embroiled in this as well."
This statement aligns with Labour leader Keir Starmer's previous suggestion that individuals connected to the Epstein scandal should provide evidence to US authorities. The ongoing revelations continue to cast a long shadow over British political figures associated with Jeffrey Epstein, raising fundamental questions about transparency, accountability, and the appropriate consequences for maintaining relationships with convicted criminals.
