Peter Mandelson has resigned from the House of Lords following revelations that he shared confidential government emails with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The former business secretary sent Epstein briefings from the 2008 financial crisis, including details of potential asset sales and a European bailout.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the leaks and has referred the matter to police. He told the cabinet he had asked officials to draft legislation to strip Mandelson of his peerage, a process that currently requires an act of parliament. “Peter Mandelson let his country down,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The leaked emails, released by the US Department of Justice, include a confidential document outlining £20bn in asset sales and early confirmation of a €500bn eurozone bailout. The Cabinet Office is investigating, and the Metropolitan Police are reviewing the material for potential criminal offences.
Mandelson’s resignation was announced by the Lords speaker, taking effect from Wednesday. He retains his title, which can only be removed by parliament. The prime minister described the inability to strip peers of titles without primary legislation as “ridiculous” and called for reform.
Further disclosures show Epstein paid $75,000 into accounts linked to Mandelson and sent £10,000 to Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in 2009. MPs are demanding answers about what Downing Street knew before appointing Mandelson as US ambassador.
