Abroad
“My best pal”, a sacking from Washington, and an arrest over government secrets
RECORD / AT A GLANCE
Documented / under investigation
Documented that Mandelson was close to Epstein after his conviction, encouraged him to fight it, and was fired over it. Documented that emails appear to show him forwarding market-sensitive government information; whether that was a crime is for the police and courts and is unproven. He has not been charged.
THE EVENTS / THE INVESTIGATION / THE STORY
2003
Mandelson’s message in the birthday book.
2003–2004
Documents appear to show Epstein sending $75,000 to accounts linked to Mandelson.
2008
Mandelson writes to Epstein after the charges and urges him to fight on.
2009–2010
As business secretary, Mandelson appears to forward internal papers, including advance word of the €500 billion euro bailout.
11 Sep 2025
Starmer withdraws him as ambassador to the United States.
23 Feb 2026
Police arrest him on suspicion of misconduct in public office; his bail conditions are lifted in March.
READ THE FILE
Before and after the conviction.
An open criminal investigation.
Open an article for its evidence, labeled AI assessment and numbered sources. Read the complete static edition ↗
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THIS FILE
3 claims people make about this file, each rated documented, partly true, disputed, unproven or false. Think a rating is wrong? Use Dispute or Support, or join the Discussion.
He wrote “my best pal” in the 2003 birthday book and stayed close after 2008. He was fired as ambassador in 2025.
Who says it: Birthday book; emails.
UK police and European investigators say the Justice Department has not provided unredacted records they requested.
Who says it: Investigators in the UK, Poland, Norway and Latvia.
Emails appear to show him forwarding market-sensitive material in 2009–10, and he was arrested. He denies criminality or a financial motive, and he has not been charged.
Who says it: UK police investigation; press.
OPEN THE RECORD
Numbered citations in each article identify the relevant sources. These records have different purposes and evidentiary weight.
Report on the dismissal.
Report on the emails that preceded the sacking.
Report on payments in 2003–04.
Summary of the government material he appears to have forwarded.
Wire report.
Report on the arrest, its trigger and his position.
Report on the stalled evidence request.
Report on stalled foreign requests.
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Before and after the conviction.
Mandelson called Epstein “my best pal” in the 2003 birthday book. Emails published in September 2025 show that after Epstein’s 2008 charges he told him “your friends love you” and encouraged him to challenge the conviction. Keir Starmer fired him as ambassador days later, citing new information about the depth of the relationship. Documents released in 2026 appear to show $75,000 sent to Mandelson-linked accounts in 2003–04. [1][2][3]
What we can’t tell you. He says he regrets the friendship and was misled.
Report on the dismissal.
Report on the emails that preceded the sacking.
Report on payments in 2003–04.
An open criminal investigation.
Emails in the January 2026 U.S. release appear to show that in 2009–10, as business secretary, Mandelson forwarded Epstein an internal adviser’s memo on selling government assets and gave advance notice of the €500 billion European bailout. The Metropolitan Police opened an investigation and arrested him on 23 February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released, his passport returned and his bail conditions lifted; the investigation continues. Starmer’s chief of staff resigned over the appointment. [1][2][3]
British police say they still lack unredacted U.S. records, and European investigators complain the Justice Department has not answered requests. Mandelson says he did nothing criminal and was not motivated by money. [3][4][5]
What we can’t tell you. An arrest is not a charge. This may change.
Summary of the government material he appears to have forwarded.
Wire report.
Report on the arrest, its trigger and his position.
Report on the stalled evidence request.
Report on stalled foreign requests.
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