Lord Peter Mandelson has announced his resignation from the Labour Party due to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein to avoid causing further embarrassment. Mandelson, who was dismissed as US ambassador last year over his past connections with Epstein, confirmed his resignation in a letter to Labour Party General Secretary Hollie Ridley.
The decision follows the recent release of Epstein files suggesting that the convicted sex offender made payments totaling $75,000 (£55,000) to Mandelson in 2003 and 2004 while he served as a Labour MP. Mandelson expressed regret over the allegations, stating that he has no recollection or records of such transactions and intends to investigate the matter.
In his resignation letter, Mandelson acknowledged the ongoing controversy surrounding Epstein and expressed his desire not to bring further disgrace to the Labour Party. He emphasized his dedication to the party’s values and success while apologizing to the women and girls affected by the scandal.
Recent emails from the US Department of Justice revealed a payment of $25,000 to Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in 2003, with two additional payments of the same amount in 2004 to different accounts under Mandelson’s name. Mandelson claimed no memory of these transactions and expressed regret for his association with Epstein.
The release of photographs showing Mandelson alongside a woman in the Epstein files raised concerns, although being featured in the files does not imply wrongdoing. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to suspend Mandelson’s party membership and investigate the financial connections with Epstein.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed called for clarity on Mandelson’s disclosures regarding his links to Epstein, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. Reed suggested that further investigation is necessary before considering any actions such as stripping Mandelson of his peerage. The Labour Party assured that all complaints are taken seriously and investigated in accordance with established procedures.
