Recently released government documents have disclosed that Lord Peter Mandelson maintained significant ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before Mandelson’s contentious appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the United States.
A comprehensive “due diligence” report, assembled in December 2024, raised alarms about a “general reputational risk” associated with Sir Keir Starmer due to Mandelson’s connections to Epstein.
Epstein, who gained notoriety for his criminal activities, was convicted in 2008 for the procurement of an underage girl. Despite this conviction, the report indicates that Mandelson continued to engage with Epstein between 2009 and 2011, even reportedly staying at Epstein’s residence during the period when Epstein was incarcerated.
Additional findings within the documents reveal that Mandelson was involved in a 2014 ocean conservation initiative established by Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein.
This association has raised further questions regarding the nature and appropriateness of Mandelson’s connections, particularly in light of the serious criminal allegations surrounding Epstein and his network.
Furthermore, the financial records analysed show that Mandelson requested that the UK government pay the remainder of his ambassadorial salary, totalling £547,201, over four years.
In a section entitled Relationship With Jeffrey Epstein, the report states: “A 2019 report commissioned by JPMorgan found that Epstein appeared to ‘maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government’.
“The report cited Epstein’s personal records which showed contact beginning in 2002 and continuing throughout the 2000s.
“After Epstein was first convicted of procuring an underage girl in 2008, their relationship continued across 2009-2011, beginning when Lord Mandelson was business minister and continuing after the end of the Labour government. Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein’s House while he was in jail in June 2009.“
However, rather than receiving this sum, he was granted only £40,330 for his three-month notice period and an additional £34,670 in severance, which raises further questions about the financial management of his diplomatic role.
These newly released files mark the first official acknowledgement of Mandelson’s connections to Epstein before what has been characterised as a contentious diplomatic posting.
This disclosure underscores the potential reputational risks that were brought to the attention of Starmer’s office during the appointment process, highlighting the complexities and ramifications of such high-profile political associations.
“On reporting of the JP Morgan report, Lord Mandelson’s spokesperson said ‘Lord Mandelson very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein. This connection has been a matter of public record for some time. He never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form’.”
