Epstein fallout hits diplomats, divides US Congress
Britain has abruptly removed its ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, after newly disclosed emails showed his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was far deeper than previously acknowledged. The Foreign Office said the correspondence differed “materially” from what officials knew at the time of his appointment.
Among the documents was a 2008 email in which Mandelson suggested Epstein’s conviction should be contested. Officials said the new revelations, combined with concern for victims, prompted his immediate removal.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially stood by Mandelson but withdrew his support under mounting political pressure. Mandelson, a Labour veteran and longtime ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, was given the prestigious diplomatic post largely for his political connections rather than traditional foreign service experience.
Mandelson responds
In an interview with The Sun, Mandelson expressed “a profound sense of sympathy” for women harmed by Epstein’s crimes. He called Epstein a “charismatic criminal liar” and said he regretted maintaining the relationship.
Senate blocks release of files
Across the Atlantic, Epstein’s shadow loomed large in Washington as Senate Republicans blocked Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s push to force the Justice Department to release Epstein records. The motion failed 51–49, with only Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Josh Hawley of Missouri siding with Democrats.
Schumer said, “The American people need to see everything that’s in the Epstein file,” accusing Republicans of enabling “lying, obfuscation, coverups.”
Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota dismissed the proposal as a “political stunt,” while Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said a Justice Department funding bill would be a better venue for such a measure.
Broader context
The Senate vote came just after a new batch of Epstein-related documents – obtained by House Oversight Committee subpoenas – became public. Among them: a birthday book containing a letter with Donald Trump’s signature. Trump denied its authenticity and has since filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch.
Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is leading a bipartisan discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the files. As of Wednesday evening, the petition was two signatures short of the 218 needed.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
