03.02.2026 19:31
Former Foreign Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson, a significant figure in British politics, resigned from the House of Lords following the outbreak of scandal due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
One of the most powerful and controversial figures in British politics, former Foreign Secretary and seasoned politician Lord Peter Mandelson, resigned from the House of Lords following a scandal that erupted due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, who had a significant say in Britain's foreign policy for years and is considered one of the most influential figures in the Labour Party, saw his political career seriously shaken when his name appeared in the Epstein files.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer explicitly targeted Mandelson during a cabinet meeting. Emphasizing that the allegations in the Epstein documents are extremely serious, Starmer stated that Mandelson's actions have harmed Britain.
Starmer also suggested that Mandelson's resignation from his position might not be sufficient, indicating that his noble title could be revoked by law if necessary.
The Cabinet Office referred the assessment of the Epstein documents published by the U.S. Department of Justice to Scotland Yard. This development opened the door for an official police investigation into the former minister.
The documents allege that during Mandelson's time in ministerial and high-level political positions, he transferred the state's confidential and market-critical information to Epstein. It is claimed that this information may have led to Epstein's financial gain.
The files also contain information that Epstein sent tens of thousands of pounds to accounts linked to Mandelson. Mandelson denies these allegations and argues that some documents may be fake.
Another element that further escalated the scandal was the photographs of Mandelson in underwear found in the Epstein files. These images sparked significant public outrage and intensified the debates.
The 72-year-old Mandelson described the events as "a life-altering crisis" in a statement. Acknowledging that he had placed too much trust in Epstein, Mandelson said he now sees him as "a calculating and dangerous figure."
Mandelson attributed his continued contact with Epstein, despite Epstein's conviction for child abuse in 2008, to Epstein convincing him that the allegations were part of a conspiracy.
For this reason, he stated that he apologizes to the women and girls who were victimized.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a broader investigation into the allegations that Mandelson may have transferred highly confidential state documents to Epstein.
Brown emphasized that sharing such information during a period of global financial crisis is "absolutely unacceptable."
Prime Minister Starmer clearly stated that Mandelson's resignation does not close the case. Noting that new documents from the Epstein files continue to emerge, Starmer said the government would fully support the police and take new legal steps if necessary.
The mention of Mandelson's name in this way, as one of the most experienced politicians in the UK, has led to a significant crisis of confidence in the country, with comments suggesting that the Epstein–Mandelson scandal is far from over.