Ex-UK Ambassador Lord Mandelson Scrambled to Shield Jeffrey Epstein from FBI Investigation, Emails Show

Former British ambassador to the United States Lord Peter Mandelson is under fire after newly unearthed emails revealed he worked behind the scenes to support child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein as U.S. authorities closed in on him.

The cache of messages, obtained by Bloomberg, shows the socialist Labour Party power broker, once dubbed the “Prince of Darkness,” acting as a confidant to Epstein while serving as EU Trade Commissioner, even as the disgraced financier faced charges for abusing minors.

In one 2006 email, Mandelson wrote Epstein: “What’s cooking? Here whenever you need.”

Later, on the eve of Epstein reporting to prison in 2008, Mandelson told his “best pal,” “I think the world of you… You must fight for early release.”

The revelations paint a damning picture of Mandelson coaching Epstein through his legal troubles, with Epstein even asking whether the commissioner could help secure a pardon from Florida’s governor.

On Thursday morning, after the emails emerged, Mandelson was fired as the U.K.’s U.S. ambassador over the revelations about his relationship with Epstein.

The correspondence follows years of speculation about Mandelson’s closeness to Epstein.

Photos show the Labour peer in a white dressing gown at Epstein’s Caribbean island estate, dubbed “Pedophile Island” by victims.

In a fawning birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Mandelson gushed over Epstein as his “best pal.”

Despite public denials, records show Mandelson stayed in touch with Epstein for years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from minors.

Court filings indicate the two remained in contact until at least 2012 or 2013.

Critics say the relationship should have disqualified Mandelson from public office.

“The man is disgusting for his clear close friendship with a paedophile,” attorney Spencer Kuvin, who represents several of Epstein’s victims, said.

“He should be investigated himself instead of being promoted to a government position.”

Victim Sarah Ransome demanded Mandelson’s removal outright: “He needs to be fired.”

The scandal has sparked a political firestorm in the UK, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently appointed Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.

Starmer insisted in Parliament that “full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is with all ambassadors.”

But Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch blasted the prime minister for protecting Mandelson:

“Mandelson’s position is untenable.

“Why did Starmer defend him today?

“How was ‘full due process’ followed?

“This is a weak Prime Minister, leading a Government mired in scandal.

“The public deserves better.”

Facing mounting pressure, Mandelson admitted in a podcast interview that his continued friendship with Epstein was a serious error.

“I regret very much that I fell for his lies,” he said.

“He is a charismatic criminal liar, we now see.

“I regret very, very deeply indeed carrying on that association with him for far longer than I should have done.”

Still, Mandelson tried to minimize the extent of his involvement, claiming he never witnessed wrongdoing and suggesting his sexuality meant he was not drawn into Epstein’s illicit activities: “Perhaps it’s because I am a gay man.”

But leaked emails, financial dealings, and photographs all show the relationship ran far deeper than Mandelson admits, including discussions on a £1 billion deal involving a taxpayer-owned British bank even after Epstein’s conviction.

The revelations mark another blow to Britain’s political establishment, already rocked by figures caught up in Epstein’s orbit.

Epstein’s network included celebrities, royals, and politicians worldwide.

Former President Bill Clinton continues to deny knowing about Epstein’s abuse.