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Peter Mandelson has been removed from his post as the UK ambassador to the US in the light of fresh revelations about his past links to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The Foreign Office said the decision came after emails surfaced showing Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different” from what was known when he was appointed.

Among the emails were messages in which Mandelson reportedly encouraged Epstein to “fight for early release” before his 2008 sentencing for soliciting prostitution from a minor, and called him “my best pal.”

The timing of the revelations, just before US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, added pressure on Keir Starmer to act.

Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein is indeed deeply concerning – and it is right to question Starmer’s judgement in appointing him to the ambassadorial role in the first place.

There are also questions over how much was known about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein before the appointment was made; we’re told the vetting process was followed but it is hard to believe that it did not reveal issues related to this – a former political adviser said as much on the BBC’s Politics Live today (September 11, 2025).

Conservative and Liberal Democrat critics have seized the moment to question Starmer’s leadership, but for the public, this is no more than a distraction—a “dead cat” in political media terms.

Real issues, from diplomacy and trade to domestic policy, are far more important than the resurfacing of emails from nearly two decades ago.

Mandelson’s sacking might make headlines, but it is still no more than a bit of gossip. There are no broader political implications.

The media focus on past friendships and embarrassing messages is just an attempt to divert attention from the issues that matter.

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