Epstein Scandal Hits Labour Again as Ex-UK Minister Mandelson Resigns

Media reports on Sunday revealed that former British government minister Peter Mandelson has resigned from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party following further allegations regarding his connections to the infamous U.S. billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

According to sources, Mandelson—who was dismissed by Starmer as Britain’s ambassador to the U.S. last year following earlier disclosures of his ties to Epstein—stated that he did not want to “further embarrass” the party. In a letter cited by the BBC and other news organizations, which Reuters was unable to verify immediately, Mandelson wrote, “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, and I feel regretful and sorry about this.”

Mandelson maintained that allegations concerning financial transfers from Epstein—which appeared in British media based on documents disclosed by the U.S. Department of Justice—were incorrect and pledged to investigate them. “While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party, and I am therefore stepping down from membership,” the letter stated.

Mandelson played a pivotal role in the Labour Party’s electoral successes under Tony Blair starting in the 1990s. However, he was removed as Britain’s envoy in Washington last year after coming under fire for documents released by U.S. lawmakers, including a letter in which he reportedly referred to Epstein as “my best pal.”

His domestic political career was also marked by turbulence. In 1998, he resigned as Trade and Industry Secretary over a home loan from a fellow politician amid conflict-of-interest allegations. A second Cabinet stint ended in 2001 when he resigned over his suspected involvement in a passport controversy involving an Indian tycoon, though he was later cleared of acting inappropriately.

Mandelson, a former European Union Trade Commissioner, is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords. Separately, in response to the fresh information regarding Epstein’s network, Starmer stated on Saturday that Prince Andrew should appear before a U.S. congressional committee.