UK ex-ambassador Mandelson quits Labour over Epstein links as new files surface
UK ex-ambassador Mandelson quits Labour over Epstein links as new files surface
Former UK envoy Peter Mandelson steps down from Labour after fresh DOJ documents reveal Epstein-linked payments, fueling renewed scrutiny.
London, February 2, 2026 — Former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has quit the Labour Party amid renewed scrutiny over ties to Jeffrey Epstein after newly released U.S. documents. Mandelson, 72, was sacked as ambassador last year over his links to Epstein. In a letter to Labour general secretary Hollie Ridley, he said he did not want to cause further embarrassment to the party and stepped down from membership.
The documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice show Epstein transferred a total of 75,000 pounds in three payments to bank accounts linked to Mandelson, dating from 2003 to 2004, according to British media reports. Mandelson has said he has no memory of the transfers and cannot vouch for their authenticity. He told the BBC that he cannot place the location or the woman in undated photographs in Epstein files and that he does not recall the circumstances.
The episode comes against the backdrop of the Epstein Files, a broader document trail that has implicated various figures in different countries. Mandelson’s decision to step back from Labour was framed in terms of avoiding further embarrassment for a party already navigating a difficult political moment. In his letter, he described the allegations as untrue and said any financial payments would have been made long ago, but he would not be drawn on the specifics. Labour officials acknowledged his departure and emphasised the party’s commitment to focusing on policy and the upcoming political agenda.
Analysts say the latest revelations add fuel to the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s circle and the way donations and payments are tracked in high-profile political connections. The Labour leadership has urged calm and insisted it will continue to scrutinize any ties that could undermine public trust. The case is still developing, and observers say more documents or testimonies could surface in the weeks ahead.
