Peter Mandelson has been sacked because the UK’s ambassador to the US by Sir Keir Starmer over his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a single explicit message, Lord Mandelson had instructed that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and needs to be challenged, International Workplace minister Stephen Doughty instructed MPs.
Mr Doughty mentioned: “In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
Picture:
Peter Mandelson walks on the day British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds an emergency Cobra assembly.
Pic Reuters
Lord Mandelson has been withdrawn as ambassador with fast impact.
It comes after a string of allegations across the diplomat’s relationship with Epstein, which emerged within the media this week, together with a 2003 birthday message through which he known as the intercourse offender his “best pal”.
Sir Keir Starmer mentioned on Wednesday that he had “confidence” in Lord Mandelson as his ambassador to the US.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
14:27
Adam Boulton: Mandelson ordeal exhibits Starmer isn’t all highly effective
Kemi Badenoch, the chief of the Conservative Occasion, known as for Lord Mandelson to be sacked on Wednesday.
She mentioned the scenario is proof Sir Keir has “failed yet another key test of leadership”, and described the prime minister as “weak” and missing braveness.
“He gave his full backing to a man unfit for office,” she mentioned.
Sir Ed Davey, the chief of the Liberal Democrats, added: “[Starmer] needs to come before parliament and explain why Lord Mandelson was appointed in the first place, given everything the government knew then.”
James Cleverly, the previous overseas secretary, mentioned the scandal quantities to a “fiasco”.
“This is all Starmer’s fault. I can see him being gone by Christmas,” he mentioned.
“It doesn’t look good that the prime minister came to the dispatch box yesterday, seemingly in possession of information that led him to express confidence in Mandelson, and then some short few hours later to have information that took him to a completely different conclusion, that’s a worry,” Mr McDonald mentioned.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
5:25
Labour MP Andy McDonald has known as for an inquiry to happen into Lord Mandelson’s appointment
Lord Mandelson mentioned in an interview with The Solar on Wednesday that he feels a “tremendous sense of regret” round his relationship with the convicted intercourse offender.
The diplomat mentioned he regrets “very much that I fell for his lies… and accepted assurances he had given me about his indictment”, which noticed Epstein jailed in 2008.
Lord Mandelson mentioned: “He’s a charismatic, criminal liar we now see, and I regret very much indeed.
“I felt it like an albatross round my neck since his demise in 2018 or 2019, every time it was. I really feel an amazing sense of remorse.”
He has been contacted for a remark.
