Peter Mandelson’s Letter to Jeffrey Epstein Sparks Renewed Scrutiny

Published: 09 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Fresh questions have emerged over the nature of Lord Peter Mandelson’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein after US lawmakers published a handwritten letter in which the Labour peer described the disgraced financier as “my best pal.” The letter, reportedly written in 2003, was part of a controversial birthday book compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday by Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of sex offences.

The bundle, made public by the US House committee on oversight and reform, includes a range of correspondence and photographs from prominent figures. Among its contents is Mandelson’s note, which portrays Epstein as “an intelligent, sharp-witted man” and narrates a series of encounters in both light-hearted and personal tones. The note evokes images of Epstein “parachuting” into his life unexpectedly and describes him hosting friends at “glorious homes he likes to share with his friends,” before concluding with Mandelson’s description of Epstein as “my best pal.”

Photographs included alongside the letter show Mandelson in various informal settings, such as gazing from a balcony in shorts, sitting in a dressing gown while laughing with Epstein, and posing with friends in different locations. These images, now published in full by the committee, add to a long history of speculation regarding Mandelson’s ties with Epstein.

The release of the documents comes against a backdrop of longstanding scrutiny of Epstein’s connections to influential political, financial, and social figures on both sides of the Atlantic. A 2019 internal JP Morgan report submitted to a New York court previously highlighted that Epstein appeared to maintain particularly close links with Prince Andrew and Lord Mandelson, noting both men’s regular presence in his social circle.

Mandelson, one of the key architects of Tony Blair’s New Labour project and a former UK ambassador to the United States, has consistently sought to distance himself from Epstein since the financier’s death in 2019. Epstein, who was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, died by suicide in a New York jail that year.

Responding to the latest revelations, a spokesperson for Mandelson reiterated his regret at ever being introduced to Epstein, reportedly through Maxwell. “Lord Mandelson has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein,” the statement read.

The publication of the birthday book has also raised questions about other contributors. One letter, allegedly bearing the signature of former US president Donald Trump, appeared sexually suggestive in nature. The White House quickly denied the authenticity of the correspondence. The book also contained messages from other high-profile figures, including former US president Bill Clinton, further underscoring Epstein’s extensive network of connections.

The committee’s decision to publish the material follows a subpoena issued by its Republican chair, James Comer, and a joint appeal from Democratic members Sylvia Garcia and Ro Khanna urging Epstein’s estate to hand over documents. Lawmakers have justified the release as part of broader efforts to shed light on Epstein’s far-reaching influence and the powerful relationships he cultivated.

While Mandelson has faced scrutiny over his ties with Epstein before, this latest disclosure places him once again in the spotlight. The re-emergence of such correspondence risks complicating his legacy as one of Labour’s most prominent strategists and a key figure in shaping the political direction of the United Kingdom in the late 1990s and 2000s.

For now, Mandelson has offered no new public comment beyond his repeated insistence that he regrets ever meeting Epstein. But with US lawmakers continuing to uncover new material linked to the late financier, the debate over how deeply Epstein’s influence reached into the highest levels of politics and diplomacy is unlikely to fade anytime soon.