Overview

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer requested Mandelson’s removal, which the Foreign Office announced with immediate effect in a statement to MPs by Stephen Doughty.
• Documents released in the U.S. included a 2003 birthday book letter in which Mandelson called Epstein “my best friend,” alongside photographs of the pair.
• The Foreign Office said the emails materially changed its understanding of the depth and scope of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein and cited consideration for victims.
• James Roscoe was appointed chargé d’affaires in Washington to lead the UK mission on an interim basis ahead of President Donald Trump’s state visit next week.
• Starmer had defended Mandelson a day earlier, but cross‑party pressure mounted and opponents are now pressing for answers on vetting and what the government knew at the time of the appointment.