Keir Starmer sacks Peter Mandelson as ambassador to US

Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, the Foreign Office has confirmed.  

The departure comes amid questions over Mandelson’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffery Epstein.  

Emails published by The Sun earlier this week revealed that the former business secretary had encouraged Epstein to fight for early release from jail, while the disgraced financier faced an 18-month sentence for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute in 2008.  

In an email from June 2008, which was not disputed by his spokesperson, Mandelson wrote to Epstein: “I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened. 

“I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain. You have to be incredibly resilient, fight for early release and be philosophical about it as much as you can.” 

It continued: “Everything can be turned into an opportunity and that you will come through it and be stronger for it.” 

A Foreign Office statement said: “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador. 

“The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. 

“In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.” 

Yesterday at Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer was asked by opposition leader Kemi Badenoch how Mandelson came to be appointed as US ambassador, what he knew, and when. 

Starmer told the house: “A full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is with all ambassadors.”