Rhianna Benson
The UK ambassador to the United States has been sacked from his position, after his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was brought to light.
Emails released by both Bloomberg and The Sun detail Peter Mandelson's long-standing association to the late financier, who was jailed in 2019 for the sex trafficking of minors.
Epstein took his own life in prison prior to being tried for his heinous crimes, which were allegedly committed with the knowledge of a number of high-profile figures.
Mandelson and Epstein's relationship has come to light following the recent release of the criminal's 50th alleged 'birthday book' by Democratic members of the US House, inside which the British politician described him as 'my best pal' in a handwritten message.
Advert
Leading up to the shocking email leak, Mandelson had insisted he had no business relationship with Epstein, telling the Financial Times to 'f**k off' after the publication asked him about these rumours in February.
Earlier this week, however, while speaking to The Sun, the politician did something of a U-turn, claiming he'd been deceived by Epstein's 'lies' like everyone else, describing the scandal as being 'like an albatross around my neck'.
Either way, Mandelson has since been fired from his position by the UK's prime minister, with immediate effect.
Advert
Sir Keir Starmer had previously selected the 71-year-old Labour politician to represent the nation in Washington D.C., and had previously defended Mandelson in the face of damning accusations.
The PM claimed he'd endured legitimate vetting of Mandelson prior to hiring him in the role, and had been impressed with the relationship he'd managed to form with the United States' president.
That was, however, until the recent emergence of the emails, in which Mandelson tells Epstein to 'fight for early release' even after his arrest for crimes relating to children.
Advert
Another email dating back to June 2008 - a day prior to Epstein's previous 18-month prison stint for soliciting a child for prostitution - hears the Brit telling the disgraced media mogul: "I think the world of you."
Emails also show Mandelson telling Epstein: "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.
"Everything can be turned into an opportunity and that you will come through it and be stronger for it."
Advert
Elsewhere, the politician wrote: "The whole thing has been years of torture and now you have to show the world how big a person you are, and how strong."
Mandelson went on to promise Epstein: "Your friends stay with you and love you."
Announcing the decision to have the ambassador fired, the UK's Foreign Office has stated that the emails 'show the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein'. The department added that this friendship 'is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment'.
Advert
Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty went on to address Mandelson's opinion on Epstein's first conviction, adding that it is 'wrongful and should be challenged'.
Speaking to MPs, he added: "And in light of that, and mindful, as we all are, of the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect."
Other British government leaders have since condemned Mandelson, including Wes Streeting, the country's Health Secretary, who admitted he'd been left 'completely disgusted' by the email exchange.
Home Office minister Mike Tapp went on to describe the communication as 'really disturbing and sickening'.
James Roscoe has taken over as interim ambassador with immediate effect.