Peter Mandelson has resigned his membership of the Labour party, saying he wants to avoid causing it “further embarrassment” after renewed revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The former Labour MP and US ambassador wrote to the party’s general secretary on Sunday evening to quit, following the release of US Department of Justice documents that appear to show Epstein sent him $75,000 in three payments.
The documents, which include bank statements from Epstein’s JP Morgan accounts, show three separate $25,000 payments referencing Mandelson from 20 years ago. Mandelson said he has “no record and no recollection” of the sums and questioned the documents’ authenticity. He reiterated that he was wrong to continue his association with Epstein and apologised “unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered”.
In his resignation letter, Mandelson said he needed to investigate the allegations, which he believes to be false, and that stepping down from party membership was in Labour’s best interests. He added that he had dedicated his life to the party’s values and success. Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador last year over his Epstein links and currently has the Labour whip withdrawn.
A Conservative Party spokesperson called for a “full and thorough independent investigation” into Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador, accusing Keir Starmer of lacking “backbone” and failing to expel him. The spokesperson claimed Starmer and his chief of staff appointed Mandelson despite his relationship with Epstein and refused to act as evidence grew.
Housing and communities secretary Steve Reed said Mandelson has a “moral obligation” to share what he knows about Epstein, whether by testifying before the US Congress or otherwise. Reed declined to comment on whether Mandelson should be stripped of his peerage, saying more information was needed first.
