Lord Mandelson Resigns From Labour After DOJ Reveals $75,000 Epstein Payments
Updated (2 articles)
Resignation Letter Submitted on February 1, 2026 Mandelson sent a letter to Labour’s general secretary announcing his departure from party membership, stating the allegations were false and apologising to women and girls harmed by Epstein. The resignation was made public on 1 February 2026, and he cited a desire to avoid further embarrassment for the party. The letter was released alongside the DOJ files that triggered the move. [1][2]
DOJ Documents Detail Three $25,000 Transfers The U.S. Department of Justice released bank statements showing Epstein transferred three separate $25,000 payments to accounts linked to Mandelson between 14 May 2003 and June 2004, totaling $75,000 (£55,000). The first payment went to a Barclays account listing Reinaldo Avila da Silva as holder and Mandelson as beneficiary; the later two were sent to HSBC accounts naming Mandelson alone. Both articles note the transfers were routed through major banks and recorded on the statements. [2][1]
Mandelson Denies Receiving Funds and Offers Apology In interviews Mandelson said he has no record or recollection of receiving the sums and could not verify the documents’ authenticity. He reiterated an unequivocal apology to the victims of Epstein’s abuse and expressed regret for ever having known the financier. His denial appears in both reports. [1][2]
Political Reactions Highlight Party Tensions Labour MP Gordon McKee said victims would be rightly outraged and praised the resignation, while a Conservative spokesman criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for allowing a resignation rather than expulsion. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a suspension and an investigation, and Housing Secretary Steve Reed told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg the government had no prior knowledge of any financial link. These statements illustrate cross‑party pressure on the leadership. [1]
Previous Ambassadorship Terminated After Earlier Epstein Disclosures Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the United States in December 2024 but was dismissed in September 2025 after further disclosures of his friendship with Epstein. Emails released with the DOJ tranche show him urging the Treasury to amend a proposed tax on bankers’ bonuses at Epstein’s request. The termination and the email evidence were highlighted as part of the broader scandal. [1]
Sources
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1.
BBC: Lord Mandelson Resigns from Labour Over Epstein Payments: details the resignation letter, apology, reactions from Labour and Conservatives, and notes his ambassadorship ended after earlier Epstein ties, including a redacted photo and policy emails.
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2.
BBC: Jeffrey Epstein Payments to Lord Mandelson Revealed in DOJ Documents: focuses on the $75,000 payment trail, routing through Barclays and HSBC, Mandelson’s denial, the undressed photograph, a £10,000 transfer to his partner’s course, and the housing secretary’s statement of no prior government knowledge.
Timeline
May 14, 2003 – DOJ documents show Jeffrey Epstein transfers $25,000 to a Barclays account listing Reinaldo Avila da Silva as holder and Peter Mandelson as beneficiary, marking the first recorded payment to Mandelson‑linked accounts [2].
June 2004 – Two additional $25,000 transfers go to HSBC accounts naming Peter Mandelson as beneficiary, bringing the total to $75,000 and establishing a pattern of payments [2].
2008 – Jeffrey Epstein is convicted of sex‑trafficking offenses, a backdrop that later intensifies scrutiny of his financial ties to UK politicians [1].
2009 – Epstein sends £10,000 to Mandelson’s partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva for an osteopathy course, documented in the DOJ‑released emails [2].
2009 – Mandelson emails the Treasury urging a change to a proposed tax on bankers’ bonuses at Epstein’s request, indicating policy influence attempts linked to the financier [1].
Dec 2024 – Mandelson is appointed UK ambassador to the United States, marking his return to a high‑profile diplomatic role [1].
Sep 2025 – The government dismisses Mandelson as ambassador after further disclosures of his friendship with Epstein, ending his diplomatic tenure [1].
2025 – A new law mandates the disclosure of Epstein‑related files, setting the legal framework for the large batch of documents released the following year [1].
Feb 1, 2026 – The US Department of Justice releases bank statements confirming three $25,000 payments from Epstein to accounts linked to Mandelson, the largest batch since the 2025 disclosure law [2].
Feb 1, 2026 – Mandelson resigns from the Labour Party, issuing a letter that calls the allegations “false,” says he has no record of the payments, and offers an “unequivocal” apology to the victims of Epstein’s abuse [1].
Feb 1, 2026 – Labour MP Gordon McKee says victims will be rightly outraged and praises Mandelson’s decision to step down, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calls for his suspension and an investigation, highlighting cross‑party pressure [1].
Feb 1, 2026 – Housing Secretary Steve Reed tells BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg the government had no prior knowledge of any financial link between Mandelson and Epstein, underscoring the surprise of the revelations [2].
Feb 1, 2026 – A redacted photograph showing Mandelson in his underwear beside an unidentified woman appears in the DOJ files; Mandelson says he cannot place the location or circumstances, adding a sensational but unverified element to the scandal [2].
External resources (1 links)
- https://www.ft.com/content/17288a86-bbcc-4428-a081-902d0cb86f65 (cited 2 times)