Mandelson’s Epstein Ties Deepen UK Political Crisis

LONDON (Azat TV) – The United Kingdom’s political landscape has been rocked by fresh revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files, detailing the extensive and illicit relationship between former Labour minister Peter Mandelson and the disgraced financier. These disclosures have led to Mandelson’s resignation from the Labour Party, a criminal investigation into his conduct, and a deepening crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing intense scrutiny over his decision to appoint Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States in December 2024.

The latest tranche of documents, released by the US Department of Justice, revealed that Mandelson maintained close ties with Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Among the most damaging allegations are suggestions that Mandelson received payments from Epstein and may have shared market-sensitive information with him, actions that have prompted a criminal investigation by UK police for suspected misconduct in public office.

Peter Mandelson’s Downfall Amid Epstein Revelations

Peter Mandelson, a life peer and veteran Labour politician who served under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, resigned from the Labour Party this week, citing the ‘understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.’ His resignation followed his dismissal as US ambassador in September 2025, after earlier emails between the two men came to light. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated at the time that the emails showed the ‘depth and extent’ of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was ‘materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.’

The newly released files, comprising millions of pages of documents, further illuminated the extent of their connection. Bank records indicate three payments totaling $75,000 from Epstein to accounts connected to Mandelson or his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, between 2003 and 2004. Mandelson has stated he does not recall receiving these funds and pledged to examine the authenticity of the documents. In 2009, Epstein also reportedly sent da Silva £10,000 ($13,607 at the time) to cover an osteopathy course, an offer Mandelson later described as ‘a lapse in our collective judgement’ to The Times of London.

Emails from the latest release also suggest Mandelson may have passed sensitive government information to Epstein. In May 2010, Mandelson reportedly emailed Epstein, stating, “Sources tell me 500 b euro bailout, almost compelte [sic],” just hours before European governments approved a €500 billion bailout. Another exchange in May 2010 saw Mandelson email Epstein, saying, “Finally got him to go today,” believed to refer to then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who announced his resignation shortly after. Epstein’s reply, “I have faith, the value of some chapters in your book should now increase,” has raised further questions.

Keir Starmer Faces Intense Pressure Over Mandelson Appointment

The scandal has placed immense pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who on Thursday publicly apologized to victims of Epstein for appointing Mandelson as ambassador, despite knowing of his ties to the disgraced financier. ‘It had been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth and the darkness of that relationship,’ Starmer said, adding, ‘I am sorry. Sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointing him.’

Starmer admitted that Mandelson had ‘lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador.’ He has since agreed to release information about the vetting process used for Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment in 2024 and ordered an ‘urgent’ review of all Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein while he was in government. Documents deemed unfit for public release will go to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee for scrutiny.

Questions Mount Over Mandelson’s Vetting Process

Despite Mandelson’s publicly known association with Epstein, including the financier reportedly nicknaming him ‘Petie,’ Starmer maintained in September that ‘full due process was gone through’ for his appointment. However, The Times of London reported that Starmer received only a two-page vetting note from the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team. This document allegedly included details of Mandelson staying at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse in 2009 while Epstein was in prison, and a photograph of the two men together, indicating that the government had documentation of their continued closeness even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

The Prime Minister’s defense that Mandelson lied to him has drawn criticism, with former deputy Labour leader Baroness Harriet Harman stating it makes him look ‘weak and naive and gullible.’ Opposition politicians, including Conservative MP Luke Evans and Shadow Chancellor Alex Burghart, have sharply questioned Starmer’s judgment, with some calling for his resignation. Conservative MP Esther McVey stated, ‘I would say that today is the crumbling of Starmer. His judgement is poor, and it is ruining this country and the Labour Party.’ Senior government figures are now preparing to hand over private electronic communications with Mandelson as part of the ongoing investigations.

Broader Implications for UK Politics

The scandal is widely recognized across the UK, with a YouGov poll indicating an astonishing 95% of British adults are aware of the Mandelson/Epstein affair. James Lyons, former No 10 communications director, told BBC Newsnight that this is ‘at least the biggest scandal since the expenses scandal of 2009.’ The political fallout could be significant for Starmer, with some Labour MPs suggesting his premiership is fighting for survival, potentially triggered by upcoming byelections or local elections in May.

The unfolding events highlight the critical importance of rigorous vetting and transparency in high-level public appointments, especially when individuals have known associations with figures of disrepute. The Mandelson-Epstein revelations underscore how past conduct, even if seemingly distant, can resurface with profound consequences for individuals, political parties, and governmental integrity.