The former UK Ambassador to the US has resigned from the Labour Party whilst questioning the authenticity of documents suggesting he received $75,000 from convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein two decades ago.
Lord Mandelson, 72, told Labour’s general-secretary Hollie Ridley he is stepping down from party membership to prevent “further embarrassment” whilst he investigates allegations he believes to be false.
US Department of Justice files released on Friday indicated Epstein made three separate payments of $25,000 to Lord Mandelson in 2003 and 2004, when he served as MP for Hartlepool. A separate document claimed his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, received £10,000.
Lord Mandelson challenged the documents’ veracity, citing “multiple formatting errors” and requesting JP Morgan confirm on record that both the documents and individual cheques are authentic. He stated he has “no record and no recollection” of receiving the sums.
Pictures in the Epstein files appeared to show the former Cabinet Minister in his underwear standing next to an unidentified woman whose face was not visible. Lord Mandelson said he “cannot place the location or the woman” and could not recall the circumstances.
Emails also suggested Lord Mandelson remained in contact with Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced questions about Lord Mandelson upon returning from the Far East. He confirmed the peer was removed as ambassador in September following “further information that came to light” but declined further comment.
Sources close to the US House Oversight Committee indicated it is poised to demand Lord Mandelson testify in Washington, believing he may possess crucial information about Epstein’s co-conspirators and enablers.
Lord Mandelson, who took leave of absence from the House of Lords to become ambassador, has not returned to the upper chamber since his dismissal.
Being named or photographed in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing.
