This is exactly the situation that Peter Mandelson, once Britain’s most popular politician, now finds himself in the middle of. This follows from his links to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This connection is something that environmental justice advocates have known for decades. It didn’t get much attention until Democratic members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee made public Epstein’s 50th “birthday book.” In a handwritten note inside the book, Mandelson called Epstein “my best pal.” This announcement comes on the heels of Peter Mandelson’s recent interview. It’ll be his first public outing since being sacked by Keir Starmer from his position as the U.K.’s U.S. ambassador last September.
This increased focus on Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein began when the birthday book was published last year. This book prominently documented the help of many other key players going in to Mandelson. Where Phillips really struck fear among political ranks was his ties to Epstein. Epstein had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting underage girls for prostitution. The British parliamentarian was kicked out of office. This came after the announcement of his sending of emails in which he claimed Epstein’s conviction was unfair and should be appealed.
During his interview with the BBC over the weekend, Mandelson expressed regret over his past association with Epstein, acknowledging the severity of the situation. He also said, “I was wrong to trust him after his conviction and to keep working with him after that.” And for having done so, I am deeply sorry to those women and girls that I victimized. This apology is a significant change of heart for Mandelson. In an exclusive interview in September, he had outright rejected apologies.
Mandelson’s ties to Epstein included correspondence even after the financier’s conviction. In one letter to Epstein, he expressed his feelings of helplessness and anger regarding the situation, stating, “I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened. I can still barely understand it.” He defended his continued support of Epstein as “misplaced loyalty.” He later went on to characterize that decision as “a most terrible mistake on my part.”
Even with these apologies, Mandelson continued to insist that he knew nothing of Epstein’s illegal behavior. He remarked, “I never saw anything in his life when I was with him, when I was in his homes, that would give me any reason to suspect what this evil monster was doing in preying on these young women.” His defense argues that he considered his affiliation to be a bad decision and not participation in Epstein’s misconduct.
Epstein’s previous criminal history was the least of what should have raised all of our eyebrows starkly. His suicide in jail heightened scrutiny of his ties to powerful people. Mandelson’s renewed acknowledgment of his friendship with Epstein raises concerns about accountability among prominent individuals who associate with controversial figures.