The messy exit of Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has raised fresh questions about Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s political judgment. New emails revealed that Mandelson urged convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to “fight for early release” and told him his friends would “stay with you and love you.” Starmer sacked Mandelson after reading the emails, having told the Commons hours earlier that he had full confidence in the ambassador.
Mandelson’s dismissal marks the second loss of a key figure in less than a week, following Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister. Starmer had appointed Mandelson in December to build relations with US President Donald Trump, despite warnings from ministers that the choice was “high risk, high reward” given Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein and reputation for attracting scandal.
No 10 insiders insist Starmer had not seen the latest Epstein emails before the appointment, as they were from a long-closed email address. However, Bloomberg had contacted Mandelson about the emails on Monday, and he gave a mea culpa interview the next day, presumably with Downing Street’s blessing. The timing of when Starmer knew remains unclear.
Starmer’s allies attempt to shift blame to chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who was instrumental in the original appointment. But constitutional experts note that the choice of ambassador is the prime minister’s responsibility. The sacking could also affect relations with Trump, who is himself embroiled in the Epstein scandal, though some believe drawing a line before Trump’s state visit next week may be beneficial.
Labour MPs reacted angrily. Junior minister Mike Tapp said he was “really disturbed” by the emails, and former frontbencher Andy McDonald noted “widespread revulsion.” One MP described the situation as “Chris Pincher on steroids,” warning that the public perception of Starmer’s judgment could be severely damaged.
