Resurfaced emails have revealed that Lord Mandelson showed support for Jeffrey Epstein as he was facing charges of child sex offences, putting mounting pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to sack him.
In leaked emails seen by The Sun and Bloomberg, the Labour grandee told Epstein “Your friends stay with you and love you.”
He is also reported to have told him to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and told him, “I think the world of you” the day before he began his sentence.
It’s also been claimed that the ambassador brokered a business deal with Epstein after the latter had been released from prison.
Six Labour MPs have condemned the prime minister for standing by Britain’s ambassador to the US as some called for his sacking.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who began the calls for Sir Keir to sack Mandelson, said the ambassador was “mired in scandal” and his position was untenable.
No 10 has continued to back Lord Mandelson, and declined to say whether the prime minister aware of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein before appointing him.
Key Points
- Resurfaced emails show Mandelson support for Epstein during investigation
- Thornberry pulls out of deputy Labour leader race
- Pressure mounts on Starmer to sack Mandelson
- Labour MPs turn on Starmer after PM backs Mandelson
- Lord Mandelson brokered business deal with Epstein after conviction
- Nothing off the table in tackling migrants says minister
Chancellor announces plans to review business rate rules
09:09 , Tom WatlingThe Treasury said a new report out on Thursday sets out how the Chancellor will look to fix sudden jumps in business rates, known as “cliff edges”, amid a number of options to encourage growth and investment among firms.
Ms Reeves said: “Our economy isn’t broken, but it does feel stuck.
“That’s why growth is our number one mission.
“We want to see thriving high streets and small businesses investing in their future, not held back by outdated rules or strangled by red tape.
“Tax reforms such as tackling cliff-edges in business rates and making reliefs fairer are vital to driving growth.
“We want to help small businesses expand to new premises and building an economy that works for, and rewards working people.”
Why Epstein and Mandelson’s friendship matters even more than you think
08:49 , Tom Watling
Why Epstein and Mandelson’s friendship matters more than you think
Emily Thornberry falls short in deputy leadership race
08:31 , Tom WatlingWe have some more information on why Emily Thornberry has dropped out of the race for Labour’s deputy leadership race.
The MP failed to gain the necessary support in Labour’s deputy leadership race and pulled out.
The former shadow minister gained just 13 nominations from fellow MPs, well short of the necessary 80 to progress to a vote among members.
Home office minister described Mandelson messages with Epstein as 'disturbing'
08:16 , Tom WatlingLord Mandelson’s messages to Jeffrey Epstein while he was being investigated for sex offences were “disturbing”, Home Office minister Mike Tapp said.
The UK ambassador to the US reportedly told Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and told him, “I think the world of you” the day before he began his sentence in 2008.
Asked for his reaction, Mr Tapp told BBC Breakfast the emails made him “shudder”.
He added: “I find it disturbing, those sorts of emails in honesty… we have to just look at what Peter Mandelson saying around his regret and what he knew at the time.”
Thornberry pulls out of deputy Labour leader race
08:06 , Tom WatlingEmily Thornberry has announced the she is withdrawing from the race to become the next deputy leader of the Labour Party.
The Labour MP for Islington South, Finsbury and De Beauvoir wrote on X: “I'm deeply grateful to all the Labour members who have shared their support.
“But I have decided to withdraw. It has been a privilege to take part in this race with such brilliant women.
“I will always be committed to this party and do everything I can to make it successful.”
I'm deeply grateful to all the Labour members who have shared their support.
— Emily Thornberry (@EmilyThornberry) September 11, 2025
But I have decided to withdraw.
It has been a privilege to take part in this race with such brilliant women.
I will always be committed to this party and do everything I can to make it successful.
Labour MP: ‘He should go immediately… his position is untenable’
07:58 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A Labour MP has said Lord Mandelson should immediately resign as his position is “completely and utterly untenable”.
Left-winger Andy McDonald said every Labour MP he has spoken to has lost confidence in the British ambassador to the US over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
“It is widespread revulsion that we, by association, being in the same party, are being brought under the microscope for something that he has done. He's got to take responsibility for his actions and bring this to a close,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He added that ex-deputy PM Angela Rayner “did the right thing” in resigning when found to have breached the ministerial code over her tax affairs. “This is of a completely different scale… it speaks about morality and judgment and Peter Mandelson’s position is just totally untenable, he needs to act and take responsibility for his failures and withdraw from the political scene immediately,” he said.
Pressure mounts on Starmer to sack Mandelson
07:56 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure to sack Lord Mandelson as the extent of his relationship with Jefferey Epstein continues to come to light.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described the revelations as “sickening” and said Lord Mandelson’s position was “untenable”.
The Conservatives also sought to increase the pressure on the Prime Minister by tabling a series of parliamentary questions asking for information about what Lord Mandelson had said about his association with Epstein during the vetting process for his diplomatic role.
Meanwhile, shadow minister Alicia Kearns called on Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman and Labour deputy leadership hopeful Dame Emily Thornberry to summon Lord Mandelson to give evidence before her committee.
Labour backbenchers Richard Burgon and Nadia Whittome also called for Lord Mandelson to be sacked “immediately”.
Both said the peer should never have been appointed to the role, while Ms Whittome added: “We either stand with victims or we don’t.”
Minister: ‘I would support parliamentary inquiry into Mandelson and Epstein’
07:44 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A minister has said he would support a parliamentary inquiry into Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, adding that “it’s important we have all the answers”.
Home Office minister Mike Tapp said he believes “everything is out now” about the relationship between the British ambassador to the US and the late paedophile.
But he said that if parliament hauled Lord Mandelson in for questioning “I would support that”.
“What's important to me, and I'm really clear on this, is we do have the full answers on this,” he told Sky News.
Mandelson told Epstein 'I think the world of you' day before he went to prison
07:38 , Athena StavrouNewly resurfaced emails have revealed Lord Mandelson continued to support Jefferey Epstein as he faced child sex offence charges.
Reports in both The Sun and Bloomberg revealed 2008 emails in which Lord Mandelson told Epstein he was “following you closely and here whenever you need” and urged him to “remember the Art of War” when dealing with prosecutors.
He is also reported to have told Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and told him, “I think the world of you” the day before he began his sentence.
Analysis: Could Badenoch help Starmer on welfare reform?
07:00 , Jane Dalton
Could Kemi Badenoch really help Keir Starmer on welfare reform?
Labour deputy leadership nominations
06:00 , Jane DaltonAs of 7pm on Wednesday, the nominations from MPs for Labour's deputy leadership were as follows.
- Bridget Phillipson: 116
- Lucy Powell: 77
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy: 15
- Paula Barker: 14
- Emily Thornberry: 13
Candidates require 80 nominations by 5pm on Thursday to go forward to the next round.
Ms Phillipson thanked MPs for supporting her. “Honoured to have the backing of such a breadth of colleagues,” she wrote on social media.
Opinion: Starmer risking becoming mired in sleaze
04:56 , Jane DaltonStarmer risks becoming mired in sleaze as he backs Mandelson over ‘best pal’ Epstein
Labour MPs turn on Starmer – full report
03:18 , Jane Dalton
Calls for Mandelson to quit over ‘best pal’ Epstein revelations
Starmer says UK will stand by Nato and Poland
02:00 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer has told the leaders of Ukraine, Poland and Italy that the UK is "ready to support Nato and Poland to continue to defend the alliance" after Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
The Prime Minister spoke to the leaders, along with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, in a call on Wednesday afternoon.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister began by condemning the outrageous violation of Poland's airspace. This highlighted Russia's increased recklessness in recent weeks, including their attacks on the Cabinet of Ministers building, British Council and EU Delegation buildings in Kyiv, he added.”
Abuse of visa sponsorship for foreign workers rises
Thursday 11 September 2025 00:45 , Jane DaltonThe number of licences for companies to sponsor foreign workers that have been revoked has more than doubled in the past year, and ministers are warning employers against "shameful" abuse of the immigration system.
Home Office figures show 1,948 sponsors for skilled and temporary workers had their licences cancelled in the year to June 2025, compared to 937 in the previous 12-month-period.
The Government is seeking to crack down on rogue employers underpaying and exploiting migrant staff - who are reliant on their visa sponsor to stay in the country - while undercutting British workers.
Adult social care, hospitality, retail and construction are among the sectors seeing the highest levels of abuse, according to the Home Office.
Licences for companies have been ended for breaking rules including underpaying workers, failing to give them promised work and assisting people to the country to get around immigration rules.
Minister drops out to back Phillipson in Labour contest
Wednesday 10 September 2025 23:25 , Jane DaltonLocal government minister Alison McGovern said she had dropped out of the Labour deputy leadership contest to give her supporters time to back one of the remaining candidates.
Ms McGovern decided to back Bridget Phillipson, but one of her two publicly declared supporters - St Helens North MP David Baines - has given his support to Lucy Powell.
If more than one candidate secures 80 nominations by Thursday evening, they will then need to gain backing from either three of Labour's affiliate organisations, including two trade unions, or 5% of constituency parties.
That process will continue until September 27, meaning a contested election threatens to overshadow the party's annual conference that begins in Liverpool the next day.
McGovern quits Labour deputy leader race to back frontrunner Phillipson
Phillipson at second stage of Labour deputy leadership race
Wednesday 10 September 2025 22:30 , Jane DaltonBridget Phillipson has made it to the next round of Labour's deputy leadership contest after securing nominations from 116 of the party's MPs.
The Education Secretary became the first candidate to cross the threshold of 80 nominations required to make it to the next stage.
Already the frontrunner, Ms Phillipson received a boost on Wednesday afternoon when one of her rivals, fellow minister Alison McGovern, dropped out of the race and pledged to support her.
Figures released on Wednesday evening showed Ms Phillipson's main rival, Lucy Powell, had received 77 nominations, just three short of the required 80 with a day to go before nominations close.
It now appears likely that Ms Powell, who was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Commons last week, will reach 80 nominations by the deadline of 5pm on Thursday.
Israeli president admits 'arguing' with Starmer at No 10
Wednesday 10 September 2025 21:20 , Jane DaltonIsrael's president Isaac Herzog proposed sending a "fact-finding mission" to Gaza during "tough" talks with Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street on Wednesday.
In the No 10 meeting, Mr Herzog "argued" with the Prime Minister over UK plans to recognise a Palestinian state and concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
At an event hosted by the Chatham House think tank, Mr Herzog said he had offered "a fact-finding mission coming to Israel, sitting with us and studying the situation in Gaza on the humanitarian level".
Adding that the pair had "argued out of respect", he noted there were "things we agreed upon", such as the threat from Iran and the need to end Hamas's control of Gaza.
But he said he dismissed "out of hand" comments by Wes Streeting on Monday in which the Health Secretary had said Mr Herzog needed to answer allegations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
Two more Labour MPs urge PM to sack Mandelson
Wednesday 10 September 2025 20:12 , Jane DaltonTwo more Labour MPs have broken ranks to urge Sir Keir Starmer to sack Lord Mandelson immediately.
Backbenchers Richard Burgon and Nadia Whittome said Lord Mandelson should never have been appointed.
Ms Whittome said: "We either stand with victims or we don't."
Tapp challenges Yusuf on claims about illegal immigration
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:56 , Millie CookeThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
While Labour typically meets Reform where they are, piling in to their anti-immigration rhetoric, this evening we’ve seen Mike Tapp in a few instances challenge some of Zia Yusuf’s claims.
While he has unsurprisingly been robust in his agreement that the government wants to stop the boats, we also saw the Home Office minister call out Mr Yusuf for his claims about sexual offences committed by illegal migrants.
“One rape, one sexual assault, is too many, but the majority of those that come over are not rapists and sexual assaulters”, Mr Tapp said, to Mr Yusuf’s outrage.
We also saw him earlier attack the Reform politician for using the word “invasion” to describe the migrant crisis, accusing him of “feeding racism”.
Analysis: Zia Yusuf's attempts to rewrite history hands open goal to Labour
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:44 , Millie CookeThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Zia Yusuf was brutally called out by presenter Trevor Phillips after he claimed Reform "wouldn't hesitate to deploy the Navy" to stop small boat crossings.
But the Sky News presenter pointed out that a week earlier, the Reform boss was much less convinced by the idea.
When the inconsistency was pointed out to him, he denied having said it.
The altercation handed an open goal to Labour's Mike Tapp, who declared: "Reform's head of policy doesn't even know their own policy".
Analysis: Mike Tapp immediately in the hot seat as he struggles to say what new Home Office will do differently
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:42 , Millie CookeThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Mike Tapp was immediately thrown into the hot seat as this evening's immigration debate got underway, with the new Home Office minister being urged to explain how things will be different under new home secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Perhaps for fear of undermining the work of Yvette Cooper, he struggled to outline concrete things they would be doing differently - instead resorting to the classic Home Office approach of ramping up the rhetoric.
"We're going to go harder. We're going to go faster. We're going to fix this problem", he insisted.
Pressed on what exactly would change under Ms Mahmood, he added: "What we're going to see going forward is essentially doing what it takes. We're starting already to explore Ministry of Defense sites to take people out of hotels. We're looking at the ECHR to ensure we can deport and remove more people. We will make sure that the French deal improves."
Unfortunately for the government, none of this marks a tangible shift from what was being done before.
Immigration debate descends into slanging match
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:36 , Jane DaltonThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The Sky News immigration debate has already descended into a slanging match between Mike Tapp and Zia Yusuf, with the Labour Home Office minister accusing the Reform politician of "feeding racism" after Mr Yusuf used the word "invasion" to describe the number of people crossing the Channel.
"I used that language on the ground in Afghanistan when people were shooting at us. You're using it to describe people looking for a better life", Mr Tapp said.
Hitting back, Mr Yusuf claimed the majority of people arriving in the UK were "fighting age men who hate this country".
Almost shouting over him, Mr Tapp said: "Disgraceful behaviour. This is what I mean. You wrap yourself in our flag but you will do nothing for this country. You're plastic patriots. Disgusting".
Responding, Mr Yusuf accused him of "betraying British people".
'Nothing off the table in tackling migrants,' says minister
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:34 , Jane Dalton“Nothing is off the table” in tackling illegal migration, Home Office minister Mike Tapp said.
“People coming over is illegally is completely unacceptable, and that's why we're looking with the new home secretary to ensure that nothing is off the table.
“We will not accept this, and I agree with you on that, that it's wrong that the taxpayers are having to carry this burden, but that's where moving them into MoD sites as well will help, because it will reduce the cost.
“But effectively, if we keep doing what we're doing with these increased deportations and removals, those costs will go down.”
Reform would take migrants to detention camp, Yusuf says
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:24 , Jane DaltonReform UK's Zia Yusuf said: “We would have no hesitation using the Navy to detain all of those illegal migrants transport directly to a detention camp and then deport them.”
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart said: “Most people who are fleeing war and persecution want to seek asylum in a country much closer to home. They want to return to their country when the war or the instability is over. And so what we should be doing far earlier than when people get to the French coast is supporting efforts going on throughout the United Nations.”
Boats too flimsy to send back, says minister
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:20 , Jane DaltonAsked why the UK wasn’t sending small boats back to France, Home Office minister Mike Tapp said French permission to do that would be needed.
He said the boats were very flimsy and they collapsed on themselves.
“So if you start to try and turn one round, it collapses. You've then got up to 100 people in the water, potentially dying,” he said.
Tories paid insufficient attention to issue, shadow minister admits
Wednesday 10 September 2025 19:14 , Jane DaltonShadow justice minister Kieran Mullan has admitted the Tories were too slow to act on illegal migration, during the Sky News debate.
He defended the policy of sending people abroad, he said: “We paid insufficient attention to the issue of illegal migration.”
What the Epstein files contain
Wednesday 10 September 2025 18:49 , Jane Dalton
The subpoenaed Epstein files: Everything we know about latest release
Televised immigration debates at 7pm
Wednesday 10 September 2025 18:40 , Jane DaltonTwo live televised debates on immigration are being held at 7pm tonight.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will host one debate, on GB News.
Sky News will also stage a debate, presented by Trevor Phillips. Guests include home office minister Mike Tapp, Reform UK's Zia Yusuf, shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan and Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart.
According to government figures, more than 1,100 people crossing in small boats arrived in Britain last week.
Mandelson admits ‘very embarrassing’ revelations to come
Wednesday 10 September 2025 18:20 , Jane DaltonMandelson breaks silence over Epstein and admits ‘embarrassing’ revelations to come
Analysis: Starmer’s Mandelson nightmare gives Badenoch her first good PMQs
Wednesday 10 September 2025 18:00 , Jane Dalton
Starmer’s Mandelson nightmare gives Badenoch her first good PMQs
Badenoch calls for Starmer to sack Mandelson
Wednesday 10 September 2025 17:45 , Jane DaltonTory leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Lord Mandelson to be sacked as ambassador to the United States over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Responding to reports in The Sun that Lord Mandelson guided Epstein through the criminal process while he was facing charges, Mrs Badenoch said: "These are sickening revelations.
"Mandelson's position is untenable. Why did Starmer defend him today? How was 'full due process followed'?
"This is a weak Prime Minister, leading a Government mired in scandal. The public deserves better.
"Peter Mandelson needs to be fired now."
Mandelson 'urged Blair to meet Epstein'
Wednesday 10 September 2025 17:35 , Jane DaltonIn a memo from 2002 the then Peter Mandelson encouraged the then-prime minister Tony Blair to meet Epstein, The Times has reported.
The newspaper said the memo was due to be made public as part of a National Archives release but was blocked as officials concluded the document may embarrass the UK and harm relations with the US.
Two live televised debates on migration tonight
Wednesday 10 September 2025 17:16 , Jane DaltonTwo live televised debates on immigration are being held at 7pm tonight.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will host one debate, on GB News.
Sky News will also stage one in Birmingham, presented by Trevor Phillips. Guests include home office minister Mike Tapp, Reform UK's Zia Yusuf, shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan and Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart.
Channel crossings have sparked protests at migrant hotels across the country. According to government figures, more than 1,100 people crossing in small boats arrived in Britain last week.
Fourth Labour MP calls for Mandelson to go
Wednesday 10 September 2025 16:49 , Jane DaltonA fourth Labour MP, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Of course he should go. And he has had good practice in resigning.”
The MP told The Telegraph: “He probably has a standard letter on his website.”
He quit as Trade and Industry secretary in 1998 after accepting a £373,000 loan from then paymaster general to buy a house in west London.
And he quit as Northern Ireland in 2001 after being accused of helping one of the Hinduja brothers get a British passport in return for a £1m donation to the Millennium Dome. Mandelson was cleared by an inquiry.
Third Labour MP slates Mandelson's appointment
Wednesday 10 September 2025 16:38 , Jane DaltonA third Labour MP has attacked Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Ian Byrne have already done so.
Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, claimed Lord Mandelson was “complicit” and never should have been appointed in the first place.
Ms Johnson told The Telegraph: “I totally agree [with Bell]. But the fact is this was known before he was given this position in America as the ambassador.
“As much as he says on radio that he regrets it, the fact is that he called him his ‘best pal’ in his birthday card, he made money from him.
“That suggests to me a very strong relationship because who sends cards with those comments on? He should never have got it in the first place.”
More 'very embarrassing' Epstein revelations to come, Mandelson says
Wednesday 10 September 2025 15:50 , Athena StavrouPeter Mandelson has admitted that more details about his relationship with Jefferey Epstein are “going to come out”.
But, asked whether there were more revelations to come about he and Esptein, Lord Mandelson said: “I have no doubt at all that there’s a lot of traffic, correspondence, exchanges between us – absolutely. And we know those are going to surface.
“We know they’re going to come out.
“We know they’re going to be very embarrassing, and they know that I’m going to profoundly regret ever having met him and been introduced to him in the first place.”
UK fires warning shot to Putin and says Poland airspace breach has ‘united’ Nato
Wednesday 10 September 2025 15:34 , Athena StavrouJohn Healey has asked the UK armed forces to bolster Nato’s air defences over Poland after the country was forced to shoot down Russian drones in its airspace following an “extremely reckless” move by Vladimir Putin.
Read the full story:
UK fires warning shot to Putin and says Poland airspace breach has ‘united’ Nato
Lib Dems call for Mandelson investigation
Wednesday 10 September 2025 15:31 , Athena StavrouThe Liberal Democrats have called for a probe into whether the British ambassador to the US has broken the diplomatic code.
Leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Lord Mandelson has serious questions to answer over his relationship with the vile sex trafficker and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“The Civil Service Commission needs to look into whether the ambassador has broken the diplomatic service code by failing to come clean over this sooner.
“With Trump in the White House, we cannot afford to have an ambassador to the United States who is compromised by ’embarrassing’ secrets.”
Lord Mandelson says he 'never saw any evidence' of Epstein's crimes
Wednesday 10 September 2025 15:16 , Athena StavrouCommenting on what he knew of Jefferey Epstein’s behaviour at the time he knew him, Lord Mandelson said: “I just would say this … during all the time I was an associate of his, I never saw the wrongdoing. I never saw any evidence of criminal activity.
“I never sought and nor did he offer any introductions to women in the way that allegedly he did for others.
“Perhaps it’s because I’m a gay man, perhaps when I knew him, perhaps when I was associated with him those years ago, as I did with my then partner and now husband, we never, ever saw any evidence or sign of this activity, which has since come to light.
“That’s why I feel so profoundly upset by what has been now revealed about what he did to women and why I feel profoundly upset that I was taken in by him and continued my association with him for far longer than I should have.”
Lucy Powell hopeful of getting 80 nominations today
Wednesday 10 September 2025 15:07 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Kate Devlin reports:
Two Labour MPs could secure the 80 nominations crucial to getting on the ballot paper in the party’s deputy leadership race today.
Sources close to Lucy Powell are hopeful she could also pass the threshold.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is expected to get the numbers later today - even before the would-be candidates make their pitch at a hustings for other MPs this evening.
Labour MPs criticise Starmer for backing Mandelson
Wednesday 10 September 2025 14:59 , Athena StavrouMore Labour MPs have criticised the prime minister for continuing to back Peter Mandelson.
Liverpool MP Ian Byrne, who had the Labour whip restored in February after being suspended following a vote on the two-child benefit cap, told the Independent: “MPs get suspended by the party like I did for voting against putting children and disabled people into poverty, but calling the world’s most infamous pedophile and child trafficker ‘your best pal’ amongst other comments, that’s ok!
“It stinks to high heaven.”
Lord Mandelson brokered business deal with Epstein after child sex offence conviction
Wednesday 10 September 2025 14:48 , Athena StavrouIt has also emerged that Epstein brokered a deal with Lord Mandelson over the sale of a taxpayer-owned business after he had been convicted of child sex offences.
An investigation by The Daily Telegraph has detailed a two-decade friendship between Lord Mandelson and Epstein, which lasted even after Epstein was jailed for a child sex offence in 2008.
Months after the late paedophile had been released from prison, he negotiated the deal alongside then Labour business secretary Lord Mandelson.
Epstein advised both Lord Mandelson and senior JP Morgan executive Jes Staley on the firm’s purchase of Sempra Commodities, a joint venture between the publicly owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Sempra Energy.
Mr Staley has since been banned from the City for misleading the Financial Conduct Authority over his relationship with Epstein.
Emails obtained by the paper show Epstein introducing Lord Mandelson to Mr Staley, setting up at least two meetings between the pair before JP Morgan’s purchase of Sempra.
After one meeting, Epstein asked Mr Staley: “Was Petie helpful?” Lord Mandelson being nicknamed “Petie” by the notorious paedophile, has been seen as a stark example of how close the pair grew.
Labour MPs turn on Starmer after PM backs Mandelson amid growing calls for him to quit over Epstein links
Wednesday 10 September 2025 14:31 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has rejected growing calls to sack the UK’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over his dealings with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Angry Labour MPs have today joined calls for him to go. Breaking ranks, Labour deputy leadership hopeful Bell Ribeiro-Addy called for an investigation, saying “there will be a huge amount of concern, and if the outcome is that he should resign, he should”.
Read the full story:
Labour MPs turn on Starmer as he backs Mandelson despite Epstein links
Starmer says he has confidence in Mandelson
Wednesday 10 September 2025 14:19 , Jane DaltonThe Prime Minister has said he has "confidence" in Lord Mandelson after it emerged the British ambassador to the US had described paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein as his "best pal".
At Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said "due process was followed" during the appointment of Lord Mandelson.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asked whether he had been aware of the pair’s “intimate relationship” when he appointed Lord Mandelson to be the UK ambassador in Washington.
Sir Keir replied: "As she and the House would expect, full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is with all ambassadors.
"The ambassador has repeatedly expressed his deep regret, he is right to do so, he's now playing an important part in the US-UK relationship."
The Tory leader further pressed the Prime Minister on whether it was "tenable" for Lord Mandelson to remain in post.
Sir Keir replied: "The relationship between the US and the UK is one of our foremost relationships, and I have confidence in the ambassador in the role that he is doing."
Labour MP joins clamour for Mandelson to be sacked
Wednesday 10 September 2025 14:03 , Jane DaltonA Labour deputy leadership contender is the first MP in her party to call for Lord Mandelson to be sacked.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy said the US ambassador should face an investigation by the prime minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus.
Ms Ribeiro-Addy was asked by the i paper whether Lord Mandelson should remain in post.
She replied: “No... I think that’s going to disturb quite a few people.”
Ms Ribeiro-Addy added: “There should definitely be an investigation into it because there will be a huge amount of concern and if the outcome is that he should resign, he should.”
No 10 refuses to comment on PM's judgment
Wednesday 10 September 2025 13:51 , Jane DaltonDowning Street has refused to comment on mounting questions over the prime minister's political judgement in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US following revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Asked about his judgment, the prime minister's official spokesperson said: "The association has been in the public record some time, and the ambassador has repeatedly addressed it".
Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer looked Lord Mandelson in the eye and asked him directly about his relationship with the convicted paedophile before he was appointed, the spokesperson said: “We have been very clear that the victims of Jeffrey Epstein are all fronts of our minds, he was a despicable criminal who committed the most heinous crimes and destroyed the lives of so many women as girls."
Lord Mandelson went through “extensive security vetting and background checks” by the Foreign Office and the Cabinet Office, the spokesperson said, adding that Downing Street maintained confidence in the screening process.
Downing Street insists Mandelson was thoroughly vetted
Wednesday 10 September 2025 13:19 , Athena StavrouDowning Street insisted Lord Mandelson went through a robust vetting process before being appointed ambassador to the US.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We have been very clear that the victims of Jeffrey Epstein are at the forefront of our minds, he was a despicable criminal who committed the most heinous crimes and destroyed the lives of so many women and girls.
“On the appointment process, any candidates for ambassador positions are subject to extensive vetting and background checks by the Foreign Office and Cabinet Office as a matter of course.
”Asked if the Prime Minister was surprised by the latest revelations, the spokesman said: “The ambassador himself has repeatedly addressed the association.”
PMQs recap
Wednesday 10 September 2025 13:11 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer faced another week of questions in the Commons on Wednesday.
Here is a summary of what happened:
- The PM began the session by sending condolences to the royal family after the death of the Duchess of Kent and backed Poland after it shot down Russian drones in its airspace.
- He vowed to pile pressure on Israel when he meets the country’s president today and condemned the country’s strike on Qatar.
- Kemi Badenoch focused on the PM’s continued backing of Lord Mandelson, after a birthday message he sent to Jefferey Epstein resurfaced.
- Sir Keir refused to say whether or not he was aware of the relationship Epstein and Mandelson before he was appointed to the role of ambassador.
- His decision to host the Israeli president was condemned by SNP’s Stephen Flynn.
PM faces criticism for Herzog meeting
Wednesday 10 September 2025 12:55 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has faced strong criticism about his meeting with Israeli president Isaac Herzog today.
The topic was raised repeatedly during PMQs, with the prime minister asked by SNP’s Westminster leader whether he would also “invite Vladimir Putin into number ten?”
He asked: “What does it say of this prime minister that he will harbour this man whilst children starve?”
Hundreds of Pro-Palestine protesters gathered on Whitehall opposite Downing Street on Tuesday evening.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP has said Mr Herzog could be in the Hague rather than on a “flight to London”, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the Government was “welcoming war criminals” ahead of the visit.
Sir Keir vowed to make it “absolutely clear” during the meeting that he condemns Israeli action in Qatar and said he would tell Mr Herzog that “restrictions on aid must be lifted, the offensive in Gaza must stop, and settlement building must cease”.
