London, Mar 12: The UK government released documents Wednesday revealing officials had warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer of a “reputational risk” in appointing Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador due to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The concerns, raised in December 2024, also highlighted Mandelson’s past lobbying work at Global Counsel and financial dealings during a previous Labour government.
The files, part of a broader disclosure demanded by lawmakers, span over 100 pages and are being published in batches after review by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee. Police requested that certain documents be withheld to avoid compromising ongoing investigations. Starmer fired Mandelson in September after it emerged he had maintained contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction.
Mandelson, 72, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office but has not been charged and faces no sexual misconduct allegations. He denies wrongdoing.
The documents indicate Mandelson misled officials about his ties with Epstein and sent market-sensitive government information to him while serving as business secretary after the 2008 financial crisis. This included plans for raising funds through government asset sales and lobbying to reduce banker bonus taxes. Separate EU probes are examining Mandelson’s tenure as the bloc’s trade representative. Starmer has apologized to Epstein’s victims and said he regretted believing Mandelson’s statements, though he is not personally implicated in Epstein’s crimes.