Pressure Mounts on Mandelson to Quit Lords Over Epstein Links
Pressure is intensifying on Lord Peter Mandelson to resign from the House of Lords following the release of documents by the US Department of Justice that indicate he shared sensitive government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations have sparked a political firestorm, with calls for police investigations and urgent reviews into the conduct of the former business secretary.
Starmer's Stance and Government Response
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly stated that Lord Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords or use the title. However, Downing Street has clarified that the Prime Minister lacks the legal authority to strip him of his peerage. In response, Sir Keir has tasked Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald with conducting an urgent review into all available information regarding Mandelson's contacts with Epstein during his tenure as a government minister.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also weighed in, revealing that he requested an investigation last September into the disclosure of confidential and market-sensitive information during the global financial crisis. He is now advocating for a broader, more intensive enquiry into what he describes as wholly unacceptable leaks from that critical period.
Allegations of Information Sharing
The released documents paint a troubling picture of communication between Mandelson and Epstein. Emails from December 2009 suggest Mandelson was actively lobbying to amend a tax on bankers' bonuses, allegedly with encouragement from Epstein. In one exchange, Epstein inquired about making the tax apply only to the cash portion of bonuses, to which Mandelson reportedly replied, "Treasury digging in but I am on case."
Further emails indicate that internal government discussions, including analyses of business lending and policy assessments, were forwarded to Epstein. Notably, in May 2010, Epstein emailed Mandelson about a rumoured 500 billion euro bailout, with a reply from a redacted source confirming it "sd be announced tonight"—a prediction that came true hours later.
Calls for Police Investigation
The Liberal Democrats, SNP, and Plaid Cymru have jointly called for a police investigation into Lord Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office. Senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry emphasised that this is not merely a matter of peerage status but a potential criminal issue requiring police involvement. Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson described the allegations as "as serious as it gets" and unbecoming of a government minister.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey stated, "The Epstein files suggest Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to a convicted sex offender while serving as a minister... These allegations are incredibly serious."
Challenges in Removing a Peerage
Under current arrangements, removing a peerage requires new legislation—a process last used over a century ago to address nobles who sided with Germany in World War I. There is no precedent for using such laws to target a specific individual. Sir Keir has urged the Lords to modernise disciplinary procedures to facilitate the removal of disgraced peers more efficiently.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones announced that the government is initiating this process, calling for cross-party support to update procedures rather than resorting to complex hybrid Bills for each case.
Mandelson's Response and Background
Lord Mandelson, currently on a leave of absence from the Lords, has resigned his Labour membership amid a disciplinary process. In his resignation letter, he acknowledged allegations of financial payments from Epstein two decades ago, which he claims to have no record or recollection of, and apologised to the victims whose voices "should have been heard long before now."
Bank statements from 2003-2004 appear to show payments totalling $75,000 from Epstein to Mandelson, and Epstein reportedly funded an osteopathy course for Mandelson's husband in 2009. Mandelson was dismissed as ambassador to Washington last year after details of his continued contact with Epstein emerged post-Epstein's 2008 guilty plea.
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted regarding the allegations, marking a significant escalation in this unfolding political and legal drama.
