Peter Mandelson has been removed from his position as Britain’s top diplomat in the US due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced pedophile. Keir Starmer demanded the recall of the Ambassador from Washington shortly after supporting Mandelson in the Commons. Calls for Mandelson’s resignation from the House of Lords have also been made by a senior MP representing Red Wall MPs.
The decision to sack Mandelson came after mounting pressure on the Prime Minister, with several Labour MPs deeming his position untenable and urging for his resignation. Leaked emails revealed Mandelson’s involvement with Epstein, as he advised Epstein to fight for early release and supported him through legal issues related to underage sex charges.
Following a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, it was decided to withdraw Mandelson as ambassador to the US. The decision was based on new information from emails showing a deeper relationship between Mandelson and Epstein than previously known. Mandelson later expressed regret over the circumstances and accepted the decision to step down.
Despite earlier backing Mandelson, the Prime Minister changed his stance after the emergence of incriminating emails, leading to Mandelson’s removal. Questions have arisen regarding Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson, given his controversial past. Mandelson’s appointment had faced criticism from Epstein’s victims and concerns from security services.
An interim ambassador, James Roscoe, has taken over immediately, overseeing the upcoming state visit of US President Donald Trump. The process of appointing a permanent replacement has commenced, with potential candidates including Karen Pierce and David Miliband. Calls for transparency on who in the government was aware of Mandelson’s connections with Epstein have been made by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
In light of the recent events, a thorough review of vetting procedures has been urged to prevent any embarrassment on the international stage due to inadequate due diligence practices.