UK Prime Minister Starmer fires ambassador to US over Epstein ties

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired his ambassador to the U.S. on Thursday over new information regarding his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer asked his foreign ministry to withdraw Mandelson, saying that newly released emails show that the extent of the ambassador's relationship with Epstein was greater than previously known, NBC News reported.

Mandelson is facing scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein after a birthday book was released with a letter purportedly from the ambassador describing Epstein as “my best pal.”

A day earlier, Starmer had backed Mandelson, but reversed course while facing pressure from his party.

“In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador,” the UK's foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.”

The ministry said the “new information” was the revelation of Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged. 

"In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect," the ministry added in the statement.

Mandelson is a veteran Labour Party politician who was crucial to the party's success under former leader Tony Blair, but isn't a career diplomat.

Mandelson said Wednesday that he felt a “profound sense of sympathy for those people, those women who suffered as a result of his behavior and his illegal criminal activities.”

“I feel a tremendous sense of regret not only that I met him in the first place, but that I continued the association and I took at face value the lies that he fed me and many others,” Mandelson said, calling Epstein a “charismatic criminal liar.”