The UK Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into the relationship between Lord Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein following the release of new documents in the US and findings of money transfers.
Foreign news agencies reported that Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, has ordered a probe into the relationship between Peter Mandelson, former British ambassador to the US, and Jeffrey Epstein after the US released numerous case documents suggesting Mandelson's possible involvement.
Number 10 Downing Street, the UK Prime Minister's office, issued a statement on Monday (2 Feb 2026) saying that Prime Minister Starmer has urgently ordered an investigation into the relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased American sex offender, during the time Mandelson served as a government minister.
Furthermore, Starmer believes Mandelson should be stripped of his "Lord" title and should no longer sit in the House of Lords.
The investigation, led by Home Office Permanent Secretary Chris Wormald, follows the US release last week of over 3 million documents related to Epstein's case, which included records of contact between the two men during Mandelson's ministerial tenure.
Financial records released by US authorities on Friday reveal that in 2009, Mandelson, then serving as Business Secretary, sent an economic report prepared for then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Epstein, accompanied by a brief note saying "An interesting memo already sent to the Prime Minister."
Additionally, Epstein reportedly transferred a total of $75,000 in three payments to accounts believed to be linked to Mandelson during 2004-2005.
Mandelson, who played a key role in revitalizing the Labour Party under Tony Blair in the 1990s, announced his resignation from the party last Sunday to avoid causing "further embarrassment" to the party.
A spokesperson for Sir Starmer stated that the Prime Minister "believes Peter Mandelson should no longer be a member of the House of Lords or hold this title. However, the Prime Minister does not have the legal power to remove such a position himself."
Previously, Sir Starmer called on members of the House of Lords to cooperate with the government in "modernizing disciplinary procedures" and "making it easier to remove members who bring the House into disrepute."
Starmer has urged the House of Lords members to work with the government on "updating disciplinary processes" and "facilitating the removal of members who damage the institution's reputation."
Lord Mandelson was removed from his position in September 2025 after being appointed by Starmer in late 2021 due to his links with Epstein. Lord Mandelson apologized to Epstein's victims in January, including for maintaining a friendly relationship with Epstein.
Regarding the latest case, Lord Mandelson said he does not recall the money transfers and is unsure whether the documents are authentic.
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Source:cna