LORD Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party, saying he does not want to cause it “further embarrassment” over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson said he had written on Sunday evening to Labour’s general secretary, Hollie Ridley, to step down from party membership following renewed scrutiny of his friendship with the paedophile financier.
The peer, who was sacked as US ambassador last year because of his links to Epstein, featured in documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday related to Epstein.
In his letter, Mandelson said: “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this.
“Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.
“While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.
“I want to take this opportunity to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now.
“I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the Labour Party and in taking my decision, I believe I am acting in its best interests.”
Mandelson said his decision followed further revelations reportedly linking him to Epstein, and that he believed stepping aside was necessary while the allegations are examined.
After Lord Mandelson’s resignation from the Labour Party, a spokesperson for the party said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are investigated in line with our rules and procedures.”
The Conservatives called for a “full and thorough independent investigation” into Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, after the peer’s resignation from the Labour Party.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Lord Mandelson is completely disgraced. Yet Keir Starmer lacked the backbone to take action, allowing Mandelson to resign from the Labour Party instead of kicking him out.
“Keir Starmer and his chief of staff appointed Mandelson ambassador despite his relationship with Epstein, and then refused to act even as the mountain of evidence against him grew.
“Given the Prime Minister’s appalling lack of judgment and the participation of his Downing Street operation, there must now be a full and thorough independent investigation.”
It comes as…
It comes as Mandelson is reportedly facing the prospect of being called to give evidence before the US Congress over his relationship with Epstein, The Telegraph reports.
Sources close to the US House oversight committee, which has led the push to release millions of government-held Epstein files, said the Labour peer is set to be summoned to testify in Washington.
According to those familiar with the inquiry, congressional investigators believe Mandelson may hold information about alleged enablers and co-conspirators linked to Epstein.
The renewed scrutiny follows documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday, which are said to detail the extent of Mandelson’s contact with Epstein.
In one exchange from December 2009, when Mandelson was serving as business secretary, he reportedly said he was “trying hard” to change Labour’s policy on bankers’ bonuses after requests from Epstein.
Other emails are said to show discussions about Mandelson staying at Epstein’s properties after the financier’s 2008 conviction for child prostitution.
While Congress cannot compel testimony from foreign nationals based overseas, Mandelson could reportedly be subpoenaed if he travels to the United States.
If he were to ignore such a summons, he could be liable to arrest, according to congressional procedure.
Meanwhile, photographs from the latest Epstein files batch show Mandelson in his underwear and a T-shirt, standing next to a woman in a white dressing gown whose face has been redacted.
Eleven images are said to show the former cabinet minister entering a room and later standing beside the woman while holding an electronic device.
The latest disclosure also appears to show that Epstein sent Mandelson around £36,500 in 2004.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mandelson, who has consistently denied all wrongdoing and said he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes at the time.
