May 14, 2003 – A $25,000 transfer from Jeffrey Epstein to a Barclays account listing Peter Mandelson as beneficiary is recorded, marking the first of three payments later linked to Mandelson [4].

June 2004 – Two additional $25,000 transfers from Epstein to HSBC accounts naming Peter Mandelson as beneficiary are documented, completing a total of $75,000 sent to Mandelson‑linked accounts [4].

2008 – The global financial crisis prompts the UK government to devise a one‑off tax on bankers’ bonuses; the same year Epstein is convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, establishing his criminal record [5].

2009 – Emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice show Mandelson, then Business Secretary, forwards market‑sensitive details about the bonus tax, a €500 billion EU bailout plan, and suggests a “mildly threaten” approach toward Finance Minister Alistair Darling to Jeffrey Epstein [1][7][9].

September 2009 – Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown writes to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley describing the alleged leaks as “inexcusable and unpatriotic” and urges an investigation [1].

2009 – Epstein sends a £10,000 payment to Reinaldo Avila da Silva for an osteopathy course, linking Mandelson’s partner to the financier [4].

2019 – Epstein texts U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett urging her to question a Trump Organization employee at a House hearing; six months later Epstein dies by suicide in his New York cell on July 10, 2025 [6].

December 2024 – Peter Mandelson is appointed UK ambassador to the United States, despite his known friendship with Epstein [5].

July 10, 2025 – Jeffrey Epstein is found dead in his New York prison cell, a suicide that occurs six months after his 2019 text exchange with Delegate Plaskett [6].

September 2025 – The UK government dismisses Mandelson from the ambassadorship after Bloomberg‑reported emails reveal he continued to support Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction [5].

Late 2025 – Following his dismissal, Mandelson resigns from the Labour Party after four decades, apologises “unequivocally” to Epstein’s victims, and maintains he never received the alleged payments [2].

January 11, 2026 – In a BBC interview Mandelson claims his gay sexuality kept him “separate from Epstein’s sexual life,” insists he never saw Epstein’s girls, and says he would apologise only if he were complicit [5].

January 13, 2026 – Mandelson issues a broader apology, stating he was never culpable, that he learned the truth after Epstein’s death, and expresses remorse for believing Epstein over his victims [8].

February 1, 2026 – U.S. Department of Justice documents released show three $25,000 payments totalling $75,000 to Mandelson‑linked accounts and a £10,000 payment to his partner; Mandelson says he cannot recall receiving the funds [4][9].

February 1, 2026 – Mandelson submits his resignation from the Labour Party, citing the desire to avoid further embarrassment and offering an “unequivocal” apology to women and girls affected [3].

February 2, 2026 – Metropolitan Police Commander Ella Marriott confirms the force has received multiple misconduct reports and will review them to determine whether they meet the criminal threshold for a full investigation [2].

February 3, 2026 – The Met opens a criminal misconduct‑in‑public‑office probe into Mandelson, noting the alleged leaks are likely market‑sensitive and that the charge can carry a life sentence, though no arrest is made [1].

February 3, 2026 – Mandelson announces he will retire from the House of Lords effective the following day, ending his lifetime appointment made in 2008, as Lords Speaker Michael Forsyth confirms his resignation [7].

February 4, 2026 – Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is “appalled” by the newly released files, Health Secretary Wes Streeting calls the friendship “a betrayal on so many levels,” and the Met confirms the misconduct inquiry continues [9].

Future 2026 onward – The government drafts legislation to strip Mandelson of his life peerage, while opposition leaders Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey call for a public inquiry into Epstein’s access to senior officials [1][2].