Overview

• Leaked 2008 emails published by the Sun and reported by the Guardian show Peter Mandelson telling Jeffrey Epstein to be resilient, to “fight for early release,” and that “your friends stay with you and love you,” a publication his spokesperson did not dispute.
• The US House Oversight Committee’s release of Epstein’s 2003 birthday book includes Mandelson’s handwritten note calling Epstein “my best pal,” which he now says is very embarrassing as he expresses deep regret and anticipates more correspondence surfacing.
• At Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer said due process was followed in Mandelson’s appointment and that he retains confidence in the ambassador, with No 10 pointing to high‑level security vetting.
• Pressure grew for transparency as Conservatives called for Mandelson’s removal, Liberal Democrats sought a civil service inquiry, Kemi Badenoch pressed for full correspondence to be released, US lawyer Gloria Allred urged congressional questioning, and a British victim demanded he be fired.
• Reports allege Epstein advised on a 2010 sale involving RBS and JP Morgan when Mandelson was business secretary after Epstein’s conviction, which Mandelson denies was a business relationship as he reiterates that he never saw wrongdoing.