How release of the Epstein files is roiling British politics
The latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein documents from the U.S. Justice Department has rippled into U.K. politics. On Monday, Anas Sarwar — the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland — became the most senior Labour figure to call for Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign, saying, “The distraction needs to end, and the leadership in Downing Street has to change.”
Starmer is not implicated in the Epstein files. However, he has come under fire for appointing Peter Mandelson, an Epstein friend, as ambassador to the United States.
The fallout has already prompted the resignation of Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and drawn a public statement from Prince William and Princess Catherine, who said they were “deeply concerned,” according to The Washington Post
The latest release of documents, late last month, revealed new details about the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein. The documents also renewed focus on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles’ brother and the former Duke of York.
Although Starmer fired Mandelson from his diplomatic post in September, he faces intensified questions about his judgment amid record-low approval ratings and frustration over a sluggish economy.
What the DOJ documents reveal about Mandelson
Euronews reported that the recently released documents include emails suggesting Mandelson shared market-sensitive government information with Epstein in 2009 while serving as business secretary in the government of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the last Labour leader of the UK. The New York Times specifically cites a message in which Mandelson appears to forward a confidential memo written for Brown, adding the comment: “Interesting note that’s gone to the PM.” The documents also show alleged payments totaling $75,000 from Epstein to accounts linked to Mandelson or his partner in 2003 and 2004.
London’s Metropolitan Police searched two properties linked to Mandelson. Police are investigating potential misconduct in public office, an offense punishable by life in prison. Mandelson has not been charged, and his legal team said he regrets believing Epstein’s “lies about his criminality.”
The controversy forced the resignation on Sunday of McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff. A close ally of Mandelson, McSweeney admitted in a statement cited by The Times and Euronews that pushing Starmer to appoint Mandelson as the ambassador to the U.S. was a mistake that damaged trust in the political system. He accepted “full responsibility” for the advice.
Starmer’s survival in doubt
Starmer appointed Mandelson in December 2024 despite knowing that he had remained in contact with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on charges involving soliciting a minor for prostitution. Starmer later issued a public apology, addressing Epstein’s victims directly and apologizing for “what was done” and for “having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him.”
Opposition leaders have used the scandal to intensify calls for Starmer to resign. Euronews reports that Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called Starmer’s position “untenable,” while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage predicted the prime minister would be out of office by May.
According to Euronews, analysts at the Eurasia Group, a political research firm, estimate there is an 80 percent chance Starmer will be ousted before the year ends.
To fill the void left by McSweeney, Starmer appointed Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson as acting co-chiefs of staff.
If Starmer resigns or is forced out of office by his party, Labour would retain control of 10 Downing Street. Labor’s members of Parliament would elect a new leader who would become prime minister without a general election.
Police inquiries and party infighting
The police investigation into Mandelson reportedly could drag on for weeks. Meanwhile, the government is preparing to release internal communications regarding Mandelson’s vetting to a parliamentary committee, with some files expected to be public within days.
Following the latest revelations, Mandelson has resigned from both the House of Lords and the Labour Party.
Impact on Royal Family
The release of the Epstein files have also affected Britain’s Royal Family. Among the documents was an image of a man who appeared to be Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling on all fours and positioned over a woman, along with an email from an account labeled “The Duke.”
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied wrongdoing. The documents reportedly contain no allegations of criminal behavior by him.
Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles last October. Last week, Buckingham Palace confirmed he had moved out of Royal Lodge in Windsor.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said Prince William, the future king, and his wife, Princess Catherine, were “deeply concerned” and that their thoughts remained focused on the victims.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
