Lord Mandelson Resigns from Labour Party Amid Epstein Controversy
Former British ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party following mounting scrutiny over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation comes as new revelations continue to emerge regarding the extent of their association.
Timeline of Key Events
The relationship between Lord Mandelson and Epstein spans several years, beginning when Mandelson served as a senior Labour minister. According to reports from The Times, Lord Mandelson wrote a memorandum encouraging then-Prime Minister Tony Blair to meet with Epstein.
Court documents reveal that Mandelson described Epstein as his "best pal" in a message included in a birthday book compiled by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. During Epstein's legal troubles in Florida, Bloomberg reports show Mandelson offering continued support, stating he was "following closely" and available "whenever you need."
When Epstein faced charges for soliciting prostitution and soliciting a minor in 2008, receiving an 18-month sentence, Lord Mandelson maintained contact. Emails reported by The Sun show the former Labour minister writing supportive messages, including "Your friends stay with you and love you" and encouraging Epstein to "fight for early release."
Financial Allegations Surface
Recent documents released by the US Department of Justice suggest Epstein made payments totaling $75,000 to Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004, when he served as a Labour MP. Email exchanges from 2009 indicate Mandelson may have offered to lobby ministers regarding banking bonus taxation on Epstein's behalf.
During his tenure as business secretary, Lord Mandelson reportedly brokered a deal involving Epstein for the sale of a UK taxpayer-owned banking business. JP Morgan internal reports suggest Mandelson stayed at Epstein's Manhattan apartment while the financier was serving his prison sentence.
Recent Developments
The controversy intensified following publication of a photograph showing Lord Mandelson with Epstein on St Barts. When approached by Financial Times reporters about the relationship, Mandelson reportedly responded with profanity.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer subsequently asked Lord Mandelson to stand down. In his resignation letter to Labour Party General Secretary Hollie Ridley, Mandelson stated: "Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me. While doing this I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party."
The resignation marks a significant development in ongoing scrutiny of public figures connected to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.