Keir Starmer fires Peter Mandelson over Epstein scandal
- Peter Mandelson was dismissed from his diplomatic position after newly revealed emails showcased his supportive relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
- The Prime Minister faced significant pressure from both the opposition parties and his own Labour Party to act against Mandelson following these revelations.
- Starmer's decisions and the timing of Mandelson's removal come at a crucial moment with the upcoming state visit from U.S. President Donald Trump.
In the United Kingdom, on September 11, 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed Peter Mandelson from his role as the U.K. ambassador to the United States due to growing concern over Mandelson's associations with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decision came after newly surfaced emails indicated a deeper and more supportive relationship between Mandelson and Epstein than previously acknowledged. These revelations included communications where Mandelson seemingly encouraged Epstein to seek early release from his legal troubles, raising significant public uproar and political pressure. Mandelson's ties to Epstein, particularly emails from 2008 where he referred to Epstein as a friend and expressed support during Epstein's legal issues, sparked immense criticism across the political landscape. Notably, backlash came not only from opposition parties but also within Starmer's own Labour Party, with various members calling for Mandelson’s removal long before the Prime Minister acted. The situation became even more complicated with an upcoming state visit from U.S. President Donald Trump, which further amplified the urgency for Starmer to resolve the matter concerning Mandelson's controversial appointment. Prior to his dismissal, Mandelson had publicly expressed regrets about his association with Epstein, claiming that he had been misled by Epstein's assurances regarding his innocence. Mandelson stated he fell for Epstein's lies, believing in his claims of being wrongfully accused while he never witnessed any illegal activities during their friendship. However, the emails revealed a different narrative that many found unacceptable, especially given the gravity of Epstein's offenses. The fallout from Mandelson's sacking is expected to have long-lasting implications on U.K.-U.S. diplomatic relations and could challenge Starmer's leadership as he manages a government already facing scandals. As various political figures criticized his continued support for Mandelson until this point, the Prime Minister now faces heightened scrutiny about his decision-making and the future of his government, especially with multiple Labor MPs expressing their dissatisfaction with Mandelson's previous role as ambassador and the decisions leading to his appointment.