PM says Mandelson ‘betrayed’ UK in Epstein emails
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he regretted appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, saying the Labor Party veteran had “repeatedly” lied and misrepresented his ties to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer bowed to opposition Conservatives’ demand that the government release information on how Mandelson was appointed.
However, he tried to narrow the scope of the documents to be published, saying that he would not publish any documents that could harm national security or international relations.
Mandelson, who was a government minister when Starmer’s Labor Party was last in power more than 15 years ago, left the House of Lords on Tuesday over his links to Epstein and is currently under police investigation for alleged abuse of power.
The files, released last week by the U.S. Department of Justice, include emails suggesting that Mandelson leaked government documents to Epstein and that Epstein recorded payments to Mandelson or her then-partner and now-husband.
Mandelson said he did not remember receiving payment.
He has not commented publicly about the allegations that he leaked the documents and did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Starmer defended his own response, saying he moved quickly to strip all titles and roles from a man he accused of “betraying” the UK.
But Starmer’s explanation of how Mandelson was appointed did little to silence opposition voices who said the ambassador’s selection in late 2024 casts a question mark over the decision of Starmer and his closest adviser Morgan McSweeney.
“I am as angry as anyone about Mandelson’s actions. Revelations this week that he passed on sensitive information at the height of the response to the financial crisis in 2008 are utterly shocking and appalling,” Starmer told a raucous session of parliament.
After telling MPs she had agreed with King Charles to remove Mandelson from the monarch’s official council of advisers, she said: “He betrayed our country, lied repeatedly, is responsible for a series of deceptions. But this moment calls for action, not just anger, and that’s why we acted quickly.” he said.
Sick bastards. https://t.co/WviU2PMxc7— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) February 4, 2026
Parliament was expected to vote later Wednesday on the release of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment.
Starmer appointed Mandelson in late 2024, arguing that Mandelson’s past work in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and as the European Union’s trade commissioner made him the ideal person to manage relations with the United States under President Donald Trump.
Starmer sacked Mandelson in September after seven months in the role after documents emerged showing Mandelson remained close to Epstein after Mandelson was found guilty of child sex crimes in 2008.
Emails released last week showed that Mandelson in 2009 sent Epstein a memo written to Brown about possible asset sales and tax changes in the UK, and in 2010 gave Epstein advance notice of a 500 billion euro ($A839 billion) bailout by the EU.
On Tuesday, Starmer’s government passed a dossier on Mandelson to the police; Police launched an investigation against Mandelson over allegations of misconduct in public office.
“The Metropolitan Police contacted my office this morning to raise any matter that would prejudice their investigation,” Starmer told parliament. he said.
“We are discussing this issue with them.”
Other messages in the US files showed Mandelson celebrating Epstein’s release from prison as “Liberation Day” and how they made sleazy jokes.
In a July 2009 email thread, the then-government minister apparently asked Epstein how they should celebrate his release from prison after serving 13 months for soliciting prostitution with a minor.
Epstein responded: “With grace and humility (these are the names of two strippers).”
Mandelson said: “From now on, elegance and modesty will be discovered in London.”
Mandelson reportedly told the Daily Mail that the messages were his, but that “they are his (Epstein’s) observations, not mine” and that Epstein “should find grace and humility, not a stripper.”
The 2009 emails also include Mandelson asking, “How does freedom feel?” to which the sex offender replies, “feels fresh, firm and creamy.”
“Naughty boy,” Mandelson wrote in response.
In another message, Lord Mandelson is seen telling Epstein upon his release: “Liberation day! X.”
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn’s vulgar messages about X left political figures disgusted: “Sick bastards.”
with PA
