Former U.K. ambassador to U.S. Mandelson quits Labour Party in Epstein fallout

Peter Mandelson, a former U.K. ambassador to the United States and a prominent figure in the Labour Party, has announced his resignation from the party amid renewed scrutiny over his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. This decision marks the end of Mandelson's political career, which has spanned over three decades. His departure follows allegations that he received payments from Epstein in the early 2000s and that he shared sensitive information with Epstein, as revealed in recently released documents. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly criticized Mandelson, accusing him of lying about his relationship with Epstein and expressing regret over his appointment as ambassador. Starmer has called for Mandelson's removal from the House of Lords, stating that he has "let his country down." The Prime Minister has pledged to release documents related to Mandelson's appointment and has ordered an urgent review of his contacts with Epstein. The Labour Party is facing scrutiny over Mandelson's past associations, and his resignation is viewed as a necessary step to address the controversy. In light of the allegations, U.K. police have announced they will review misconduct claims related to Mandelson's conduct while in public office. The situation has sparked discussions about the implications of political figures' associations with individuals like Epstein, who has been at the center of numerous scandals involving sexual misconduct and exploitation. Mandelson's resignation from the House of Lords comes amid ongoing investigations and public outcry regarding accountability in political leadership. Starmer has also apologized to victims of Epstein for appointing Mandelson as the U.K. ambassador to Washington, acknowledging that he had believed Mandelson's "lies" prior to the appointment. The Labour Party's handling of Mandelson's connections to Epstein has raised questions about the vetting process for political appointments, further complicating the party's position in the wake of this scandal.