Overview

• Peter Mandelson was removed as ambassador after the Foreign Office said newly published emails showed his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was deeper than previously known.
• Messages reported from 2008 include Mandelson urging Epstein to "fight for early release" and saying "I think the world of you" the day before Epstein began his jail term.
• Deputy head of mission James Roscoe has become chargé d’affaires in Washington and is now running the embassy’s day-to-day operations.
• Roscoe will oversee preparations for President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain next week, working across Buckingham Palace, No 10 and the White House.
• Downing Street has begun identifying a permanent successor, with reports floating names from both politics and the diplomatic corps, and insiders suggesting Roscoe is unlikely to be chosen given his civil-service grade.