Peter Mandelson Resigns from Labour Party Amid Epstein Controversy
In a significant political development, British politician Peter Mandelson has announced his resignation from the ruling Labour Party, prompted by renewed scrutiny over his connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
According to reports from the BBC, Mandelson, who previously served as the US ambassador until last year, finds himself implicated in newly released documents from the US Department of Justice linked to Epstein. These documents reveal that between 2003 and 2004, Mandelson received a total of $75,000 from Epstein across three transactions.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to Labour’s general secretary, Mandelson expressed his regret at once again being associated with the escalating uproar surrounding Epstein. He stated, “This weekend I have again been associated with the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, and that regrets and annoys me.”
Mandelson maintains that the allegations against him are unfounded, asserting that he has no recollection of the money transfers and lacks documentation to support Epstein’s claims. Nevertheless, he has pledged to personally investigate the matter further. “While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party, and I am therefore resigning from the party,” he wrote.
The 72-year-old Mandelson, a seasoned figure within the Labour Party, played a pivotal role in its successes during Tony Blair’s leadership as a close adviser. His extensive political résumé includes a long tenure as a member of the House of Commons, as well as serving as the EU trade commissioner and the UK’s business and trade minister.
His tenure as US ambassador was cut short last September, when his ties to Epstein became a focal point of controversy. Notably, in 2008, Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution and subsequently registered as a sex offender. Following this, it was revealed that Mandelson had continued to communicate with Epstein, sending several supportive messages after the conviction.
Epstein’s legal troubles escalated dramatically in 2019 when he was arrested on charges of extensive abuse of minors and human trafficking. He tragically died by suicide in his New York prison cell that same year.
In his letter, Mandelson reiterated his apologies, stating, “I will take this opportunity to once again repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard a long time ago.”
As the political landscape shifts, Mandelson’s resignation marks an important moment not just for him, but also for the Labour Party amidst ongoing discussions about accountability and ethics in politics.
— Ritzau
