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Ambassadors

Epstein Emails Reveal Close Ties Between Lord Mandelson and Financier

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Lord Mandelson, a former cabinet minister and current British ambassador to the US, had close ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, emails show. The emails suggest that Mandelson and Epstein were more than just friends, with Epstein referring to Mandelson as "petie" and Mandelson discussing US banking policy with Epstein after the deal to buy part of Sempra from RBS was struck. Mandelson had been appointed as ambassador to the US by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021, but some Labour MPs are now calling for him to quit or for the Prime Minister to sack him.

Key Takeaways:

  • Epstein repeatedly referred to Mandelson as "petie" in messages and conversations, suggesting a close relationship between the two.
  • Mandelson and Epstein discussed US banking policy after the deal to buy part of Sempra from RBS was struck, with Epstein asking Mandelson for his views on Obama's new banking rules.
  • Mandelson gave a speech in New York in which he heavily criticised Mr Obama's administration for curtailing the activities of the investment banks.
  • Mandelson has previously expressed deep regret over his friendship with Epstein, saying: 'I wish I'd never met him."
  • Cathy Alexander, Epstein's former housekeeper, said that Mandelson stayed on the island in 2002 with his now husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
  • The Conservative MP Sir Gavin Williamson wrote to Sir Keir asking whether Mandelson was properly vetted before being appointed to his diplomatic role.
  • Some Labour MPs are privately calling for Mandelson to quit or for the Prime Minister to sack him.

Statistics:

  • Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges.
  • Mandelson was appointed as ambassador to the US by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021.
  • The deal to buy part of Sempra from RBS was announced on February 16 2010.
  • Obama launched a crackdown on US investment banks in 2010, resulting in JP Morgan being unable to buy Sempra's US trading arm.
  • Mandelson gave a speech in New York in which he heavily criticised Mr Obama's administration for curtailing the activities of the investment banks in the same month.
  • Mandelson asked Epstein if Mr Staley "could send me email on issues" in relation to Obama's new banking rules in the same month.

Sources:

  • Epstein / Staley / Mandelson Emails-3
  • Epstein / Staley / Mandelson Emails-7
  • Cathy Alexander, Epstein's former housekeeper, in The Telegraph
  • Conservative MP Sir Gavin Williamson in a letter to Sir Keir
  • Judith Woods in The Telegraph

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