Sir Keir Starmer has sensationally sacked Peter Mandelson as US ambassador over the growing scandal of his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The prime minister asked Lord Mandelson to step down after a string of shocking revelations, including resurfaced emails appearing to show him offering support for convicted paedophile Epstein as he was facing charges of child sex offences.
Starmer found Lord Mandelson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein “reprehensible”, Downing Street has said.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty, announcing that Lord Mandelson had been sacked, claimed that the emails showed “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” as UK ambassador to the UK last year.
“In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect,” the minister added.
Mr Doughty had been called to address the Commons after Sir Lindsay Hoyle granted an urgent question to Tory Neil O’Brien about Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
MPs on both sides of the house had been demanding that Lord Mandelson return to the UK for questioning despite his status as a Lord meaning he does not have to stand in front of the Commons.
James Roscoe has taken over from Lord Mandelson as interim ambassador while Downing Street begins the process of finding a permanent replacement.
Mandelson-Epstein emails made me very uncomfortable, says Sarwar
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said emails between Lord Peter Mandelson and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein made him “very, very uncomfortable”, as he backed the peer’s sacking as US ambassador.
Speaking to journalists in Holyrood, Mr Sarwar said the Prime Minister had made the right decision.
“The details that came to light were deeply, deeply concerning, they made me feel very uncomfortable,” he said.
“I think there’s legitimate questions that the public will want answers to and I think, ultimately, the Prime Minister has made the right decision.”
Asked if the decision suggests issues with the Prime Minister’s judgment, Mr Sarwar drew parallels with the previous Tory administration in the UK.
“If you compare it to the years under the Conservatives, it was dither, delay, not even referring to the Standards Commissioner, often defending the indefensible,” he said.
“(The Prime Minster has) actually taken swift action, there was swift action in terms of the resignation of (former deputy prime minister) Angela Rayner and the swift action in terms of the removal of Peter Mandelson as the ambassador to the US.”
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Man arrested after attack on MP’s offices
A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson after a fire at Washington and Gateshead South MP Sharon Hodgson’s office.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 12.20am today, we were alerted to a fire at a premises on Woodland Terrace in the Washington area.
“Emergency services attended and no-one is reported to have been injured in the incident.
“A man in his 20s has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson.
“He remains in police custody at this time.”
Watch: Government says Peter Mandelson sacked ‘in light of new emails’ over relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
Who could replace Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US?
James Roscoe has taken over from Lord Mandelson as interim ambassador while Downing Street begins the process of finding a permanent replacement.
While there is not yet any suggestion yet that Mr Roscoe will hold the position permanently, the career diplomat has a strong CV. He is currently the embassy’s chief of mission, a role which sees him take over in the absence of the ambassador. He was previously deputy head of mission at the British Embassy Washington in July 2022.
Read more by political correspondent Millie Cooke here:
Analysis: Mandelson’s sacking has left one big question – and it has nothing to do with Epstein
Former Labour deputy leader describes Mandelson as ‘shameful’
Speaking on Sky News’ Political Dysfunction podcast out later today, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman described Lord Madelson as “shameful” for not resigning.
She said: “I think he’s right to sack him. I wish he’d never appointed him, but now he’s gone. I think it’s really shameful that Peter Mandelson didn’t actually resign.
“I think he should never have put himself forward for that job, knowing what he, Peter Mandelson, knew about what was likely to come out. So I think it’s been a horrible, awful episode. And the important thing is to move on.”
Peter Mandelson sacked as US ambassador after fresh revelations over his links to Epstein
‘He stood up for freedom and his Christian faith,’ MP said following death of right-wing political activist
Charlie Kirk was a “friend” to the UK and he “stood up for freedom”, a Conservative MP told the Commons, as he paid tribute to the Donald Trump ally.
Andrew Rosindell said he welcomed Mr Kirk to the Houses of Parliament in 2018, taking him to a Christmas reception at Speaker’s House.
“He was a friend of the United Kingdom. He stood up for freedom and his Christian faith, and we mourn his loss and send our condolences to his family and friends,” the Romford MP added.
