Peter Mandelson’s Epstein Connection: New Documents Reveal ‘Best Pal’ Birthday Message and Business Dealings

Fresh Documents Expose Diplomatic Crisis

New documents released by the US House Oversight Committee have revealed that Peter Mandelson, the UK’s current ambassador to the United States, called Jeffrey Epstein his ‘best pal’ in a birthday message. The documents were part of a birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, which was received from Epstein’s estate on Monday, September 8.

Adding to the controversy, emails revealed in a US court show that Lord Mandelson brokered a £1billion deal with Jeffrey Epstein concerning a UK taxpayer-owned banking business, negotiated just weeks after Epstein had been released from prison. The deal took place while Mandelson was serving as Business Minister under Gordon Brown’s government.

Documented Connections

The released documents included photographs taken on Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little St James. One picture shows Lord Mandelson in a bathrobe laughing with Epstein on a veranda. According to Epstein’s former housekeeper, these photos were taken in 2002 during Mandelson’s week-long stay on the island. Notably, Epstein’s abuse of underage girls was already occurring during this period.

Political Fallout

The British ambassador, who was appointed to his role in February 2025, now faces calls to resign. The Conservative Party has demanded an investigation into Lord Mandelson’s close friendship and any commercial dealings with Epstein, particularly questioning whether Epstein, as a wealthy JP Morgan client, may have profited from their business dealings.

Official Response

When previously questioned about his relationship with Epstein, Mandelson stated: ‘I regret ever meeting him or being introduced to him by his partner Ghislaine Maxwell. I regret even more the hurt he caused to many young women.’

Despite the mounting pressure, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stood by Britain’s ambassador to the US, though Sarah Ransome, a British victim of Epstein’s abuse, has strongly stated: ‘Something is really, really wrong here. Peter Mandelson should not be ambassador. He needs to be fired. He is unsuitable to be ambassador.’