$75,000 Transfers, Pic In Underwear: Epstein Files Expose Ex-British Envoy Peter Mandelson

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 13:54 IST

Lord Peter Mandelson, who was associated with the UK’s ruling Labour Party, has resigned following outrage over his links to the late financier.

Ex-UK Ambassador Mandelson Steps Down Over Epstein Money Claims (Photo: X)

A former British ambassador to the United States allegedly received $75,000 from late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to newly released documents by the US Justice Department.

Lord Peter Mandelson, who was associated with the UK’s ruling Labour Party, has resigned following outrage over his links to the late financier.

Between 2003 and 2004, Epstein appears to have sent three payments of $25,000 each to accounts connected to Mandelson.

Images of the 72-year-old politician in his underwear have also appeared in the latest tranche of the Epstein Files. In a redacted image, Mandelson is seen standing next to a woman in underwear whose face is obscured. He said he could not recall the location, the woman, or the circumstances, according to the BBC.

Money transfers detailed in documents

The first transaction in May 2003 was sent to a Barclays account held by Mandelson’s partner, Reinaldo da Silva, naming Mandelson as “BEN", usually meaning beneficiary, the Financial Times reported.

The second and third payments were sent to HSBC accounts linked only to Mandelson. It remains unclear if the money reached the accounts.

Emails in the files also show that Epstein made payments of thousands of pounds to da Silva in 2009 and 2010.

Other emails suggest Mandelson attempted to influence government policy on a planned tax on bankers’ bonuses while he was business secretary in Gordon Brown’s government, following requests from Epstein.

Undisclosed flights and emails

Earlier data releases showed Mandelson took two flights paid for by Epstein in 2003, worth $7,486. He did not declare these trips in the House of Commons’ register of interests.

In a November 2010 email, Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my chief life adviser".

Resignation from Labour Party

In a letter to the Labour general secretary, Mandelson said he felt “regretful and sorry" about the outrage over his links to Epstein.

He said he did not know if the released documents were authentic and described allegations of financial payments as false, saying he had no record or recollection of them.

Mandelson resigned to avoid “further embarrassment" to the party. He had previously been sacked as the UK ambassador to the US last year over his ties to Epstein.

He apologised “unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered" and expressed regret for ever having known Epstein.

Mandelson comes from a Labour background. His grandfather, Herbert Morrison, served as a cabinet minister in 1945, and Mandelson began working for Labour in the 1980s.

News world $75,000 Transfers, Pic In Underwear: Epstein Files Expose Ex-British Envoy Peter Mandelson

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