Mandelson Maintained Epstein Contact Until 2016: Bombshell Emails Rock UK Politics Again
Fresh revelations hit the headlines today as thousands of new Jeffrey Epstein documents exposed ongoing contact between Lord Peter Mandelson and the convicted sex offender well into 2016. These emails paint a picture of friendship that refused to fade despite Epstein's crimes. The timing could not be worse for the former Labour powerhouse who lost his ambassador role over similar ties just two months ago.
British politics still reels from the September sacking of Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington. Now these latest files from the US House Oversight Committee deliver another gut punch. They show warm exchanges years after Epstein served time for soliciting a minor. Public trust takes another battering when figures at the very top seem blind to red flags.
The Emails That Refuse to Stay Buried
One exchange began on 6 November 2015 when Epstein emailed Mandelson on his 63rd birthday with the blunt line “63 years old. You made it.” Mandelson fired back within 90 minutes: “Just. I have decided to extend my life by spending more of it in the US.” Epstein replied with a nod to the upcoming election: “in the Donald White House” and added personal advice about steering clear of Prince Andrew while praising Mandelson’s husband Reinaldo.
These messages arrived seven years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. They followed earlier emails where Mandelson urged the financier to “fight for early release” and wrote “I think the world of you” on the eve of his prison term. Mandelson has always insisted he never witnessed wrongdoing and fell for Epstein’s charm. Yet the warmth in these notes jars painfully against what the world now knows.
Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose vast property empire became central to investigations into sex trafficking and abuse.
Ambassador Dream Shattered in September
Keir Starmer’s government appointed Mandelson in December 2024 to mend UK-US ties after years of strain. The role lasted barely nine months. In September the Prime Minister ordered his immediate withdrawal after earlier emails revealed the true depth of the relationship. Foreign Office ministers told Parliament that Mandelson failed to disclose everything during vetting.
Taxpayers footed the bill for the short-lived posting while diplomatic momentum stalled. Seasoned observers called it one of the fastest flame-outs in modern ambassadorial history.
The Brutal Financial Cost of a Tarnished Name
Reputation is currency in the world of high-level advisory work, and Mandelson just watched his fortune take a serious hit. Global Counsel, the consultancy he co-founded in 2011, severed all ties the day after his sacking and blocked future payouts to the Labour peer.
According to analysis reviewed by Finance Monthly, advisory firms can lose 30-40% of revenue within weeks when a founder becomes toxic. Clients from FTSE 100 boardrooms to sovereign wealth funds simply cannot afford the optics. One former Global Counsel partner described the mood as “clients ringing to say they loved the work but could no longer be associated.”
Veteran City crisis manager Mark Corallo, who has guided CEOs through scandals, put it bluntly: “I tell clients it’s rarely a ten, but this one is a solid nine. When paedophile links surface, money walks out the door faster than you can apologise.” For everyday investors the lesson is clear. Always google the people behind any firm handling your pension or savings. A single controversial connection can wipe millions off a company’s value overnight and leave ordinary clients nursing losses.
If you hold investments in funds or consultancies linked to political heavyweights, run a quick check today on the key partners. Switch providers if red flags appear. Your future wealth depends on the company they keep.
Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein share a moment on Epstein’s private island, underscoring the enduring scrutiny over their past friendship.
Burning Questions Everyone’s Searching Today
When did Peter Mandelson last communicate with Jeffrey Epstein?
The newly released emails confirm contact continued until at least November 2016, more than eight years after Epstein’s first conviction. Earlier messages showed Mandelson offering prison support in 2008 and warm birthday exchanges in 2015. The peer insists he cut ties after learning the full truth but the paper trail tells a longer story of friendship that only ended with Epstein’s death.
Why was Mandelson sacked as UK ambassador to the US?
Keir Starmer withdrew Mandelson in September 2025 after emails emerged showing he called Epstein “my best pal” and gave detailed personal advice. Ministers said the depth of the relationship had not been disclosed during security vetting. The move protected UK-US relations at a sensitive time but left taxpayers covering the costs of the aborted posting.
What is Peter Mandelson’s net worth in 2025?
Lord Mandelson’s wealth stands at an estimated £10 million, built from decades of political salaries, EU commissioner perks, book deals, speaking fees and his stake in Global Counsel. The Epstein fallout has already frozen payouts from his firm and scared off lucrative boardroom roles. City sources expect the final hit to shave at least £1.5-2 million off that figure once lost contracts and legal bills are tallied.
