Lord Mandelson Resigns from Labour Party After the Newly Released Epstein Files - Details

The resignation comes amid mounting controversy surrounding the Lord's historical links to Jeffrey Epstein, including newly released financial records, resurfaced emails, and images tied to Epstein's properties.

Lord Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party after his name appeared in a newly released tranche of documents linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, triggering intense political scrutiny and a surge of public anger across social media.

The resignation, confirmed on February 2, 2026, comes amid mounting questions over Mandelson's past financial links to Epstein, his continued association with the disgraced financier after conviction, and newly scrutinised images connected to Epstein's properties.

The development was amplified publicly by a social media commentator who took to X in the early hours of February 2, writing, "BREAKING: Lord Mandelson has RESIGNED in disgrace after being outed in the Epstein files. Not good enough. Prosecute him."

The post, shared alongside a screenshot that rapidly circulated online, helped propel the story into the centre of an already volatile public debate following the release of millions of Epstein-related records by the United States government.

Questions about accountability and status also dominated the discussion.

As news of the resignation spread, social reactions were swift and unforgiving, with many netizens framing Mandelson's decision as reactive rather than principled. One person said, "The house of cards begins to fall," while another commented, "Cards coming tumbling down!"

Others suggested the resignation was motivated by fear of further disclosures, with one netizen typing, "Yes because he knows there is more to come out and he is panicking."

Several remarks focused on long-standing criticism of Mandelson's character and reputation. "He's always been a wrong'un [sic]. In the 90s, he was called 'The Prince of Darkness,'" one person wrote, invoking a nickname that has followed Mandelson for decades.

Another comment took a more pointed tone, stating, "He has only left because he has been caught with his pants down," a reference to a controversial photograph that has re-emerged alongside the Epstein disclosures.

Questions about accountability and status also dominated the discussion. One person asked, "So Andrew is a former prince but this one still a lord [sic]??" while another queried, "Why is he a lord still?" The remarks reflected broader anger about perceived disparities in consequences for those connected to Epstein.

The renewed backlash follows days of sustained social media attention from multiple X commentators, including posts dated between January 31 and February 2, 2026, that focused on Mandelson's historical relationship with Epstein.

Among the most widely discussed was conversations referencing a now-notorious photograph showing Mandelson wearing only underwear.

Furthermore, the photograph is not the only element drawing renewed scrutiny.

According to reports, the photograph was taken inside Epstein's Paris apartment on Avenue Foch, a lavish property later described as one of the financier's primary European residences.

The apartment, located in the ultra-exclusive 16th arrondissement with views of the Arc de Triomphe, was reportedly used by Epstein to entertain high-profile guests, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The property has also been linked to allegations that Epstein sexually assaulted underage girls there and was searched by police following his death in 2019 as part of a trafficking investigation.

A spokesman for Mandelson said the disgraced former Labour peer "has absolutely no idea" where the photograph was taken or "whether it has any connection to Epstein at all."

However, it later emerged that the image was indeed taken inside Epstein's Paris property, an 8,000 square foot flat featuring eight bedrooms and 16-foot ceilings, intensifying questions about Mandelson's proximity to Epstein's private spaces.

Furthermore, the photograph is not the only element drawing renewed scrutiny. Financial records released by the United States Department of Justice appear to show that Epstein made three separate payments of $25,000, totalling $75,000 (£55,000), to accounts connected to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.

The documents form part of the largest release of Epstein-related files to date, mandated by law and comprising millions of pages. The records reference "Peter Mandelson" as beneficiary on multiple transactions originating from Epstein's JPMorgan accounts.

One payment dated May 14, 2003, was sent to a Barclays account listing Reinaldo Avila da Silva, Mandelson's partner at the time, as the account holder, with Mandelson named as beneficiary.

Two further payments were made to HSBC accounts in June 2004, days apart, again listing Mandelson as beneficiary. It remains unclear whether the funds were ultimately deposited into the named accounts.

Mandelson has said he has no record or recollection of receiving the money and does not know whether the documents are authentic. He reiterated his regret for "ever having known Epstein" and apologised "unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered."

Further controversy has arisen from the resurfacing of emails suggesting Epstein and Mandelson exchanged remarks involving the Royal Family.

The newly released material has also revived scrutiny of Mandelson's conduct while in government. Emails from December 2009 show him corresponding with Epstein about efforts to alter a proposed tax on bankers' bonuses.

"Trying hard to amend," Mandelson wrote, adding that the Treasury was "digging in" but that he was "on [the] case." At the time, he was serving as business secretary in the government led by Gordon Brown.

In response, the lord told the BBC that banks across the sector were making similar arguments and that his discussions within government reflected industry-wide concerns rather than the influence of a single individual.

He said every major UK and international bank was lobbying against the tax, and that his actions were consistent with that broader context. Da Silva also appears elsewhere in the Epstein files.

Emails from 2009 show Epstein sent him £10,000 for an osteopathy course. Asked to respond to that payment, Mandelson said he had already been "very clear" about his relationship with Epstein and stated:

"I have nothing more to add."

Further controversy has arisen from the resurfacing of emails suggesting Epstein and Mandelson exchanged remarks involving the Royal Family.

In an apparent exchange dated October 5, 2009, Epstein suggested Mandelson could "marry Princess Beatrice," adding that "the Queen would have a queen as a grandson."

Mandelson appears to have replied, "Remember, I am already her Lord President," to which Epstein responded, "Does that make it incest, how exciting." Mandelson, who is openly gay, was in a long-term relationship with da Silva at the time.

He has previously acknowledged that maintaining a relationship with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction was a serious error. He has described the association as a "terrible mistake" and has said he was wrong to believe Epstein's assurances following that conviction.

Days later, the disgraced lord issued a more explicit apology to the women and girls abused by Epstein.

In a later interview with "Newsnight," he offered a more direct apology, stating he was "wrong" to continue the association and expressing regret to Epstein's victims.

The controversy has already had significant professional consequences. Mandelson was appointed the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States in December 2024 by Sir Keir Starmer.

However, he was dismissed the following September after further revelations emerged about his continued contact with Epstein after the financier's conviction, as emails showed Mandelson had sent supportive messages to Epstein despite his criminal record.

On January 11, Mandelson told Laura Kuenssberg that his relationship with Epstein was a "terrible mistake." He also said he believed he had been "kept separate" from Epstein's sex life because he is gay and denied seeing young girls at the former's properties.

Days later, the disgraced lord issued a more explicit apology to the women and girls abused by Epstein. Then, Housing Secretary Steve Reed confirmed the government was not aware of Mandelson's alleged financial links to Epstein when he was appointed ambassador.

Speaking to Kuenssberg, Reed said, "You're talking about things that happened more than 20 years ago," stressing there was "no knowledge" of the payments at the time.

He added that Mandelson was removed from his ambassadorial post because "there were things he had not disclosed" to the government, concluding:

"I think he should answer questions about his own life, not me."

As scrutiny continues and public pressure intensifies, Mandelson's resignation from the Labour Party has done little to stem demands for further answers.

With more documents now in the public domain and social media commentary showing no sign of abating, questions surrounding accountability, transparency, and the full extent of Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein remain firmly in the spotlight.