Lord Peter Mandelson has announced his resignation from the Labour Party to avoid causing further embarrassment due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson, who was dismissed as a US ambassador last year because of his past ties to Epstein, stated that he had sent a resignation letter to the Labour Party’s general secretary, Hollie Ridley.
This development follows the recent release of Epstein files indicating that he made payments totaling $75,000 (£55,000) to Mandelson in 2003 and 2004 while Mandelson was a Labour MP. Mandelson expressed regret over the situation, denying the allegations of receiving financial payments from Epstein and emphasizing his commitment to investigating the matter.
Additionally, newly disclosed emails from the US Department of Justice revealed a payment of $25,000 to Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in 2003, with two more payments of $25,000 each to different accounts in Mandelson’s name in 2004 when he was serving as a Labour MP for Hartlepool. Mandelson stated that he does not recall receiving these payments and expressed regret over his association with Epstein.
The release of photographs showing Mandelson with a woman in a bathrobe, as part of the Epstein files, does not imply any wrongdoing. Calls have been made by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch for Labour leader Keir Starmer to suspend Mandelson’s party membership and launch an investigation into the payments from Epstein.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the need for Mandelson to address any lack of disclosure regarding his connections with Epstein. Reed highlighted the importance of Mandelson clarifying the situation, including whether the money received from Epstein was properly declared.
A Labour Party spokesperson affirmed that all complaints are taken seriously and investigated according to party rules and procedures.