Labour's 'Prince of Darkness' Steps Down Amid Renewed Epstein Scandal
LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Peter Mandelson, the veteran political strategist and former cabinet minister, has resigned from the Labour Party, a party he helped shape for decades. His departure comes in response to a new wave of media reports detailing his past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, who was removed from his post as Britain's ambassador to the United States last year over earlier Epstein links, stated he did not wish to cause "further embarrassment" to the party. The resignation was confirmed through a letter obtained by major British broadcasters.
"I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this," Mandelson wrote. He vehemently denied allegations, based on newly released U.S. court documents, of receiving financial payments from Epstein, pledging to investigate the claims.
"While doing this I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party," the letter concluded.
Mandelson's exit is a significant moment in British politics. Often dubbed the "Prince of Darkness," he was the chief architect of New Labour's rise to power under Tony Blair in the 1990s. His strategic genius was instrumental in ending the party's 18-year stint in opposition. However, his career has been punctuated by controversy.
Last year, U.S. congressional releases included a letter where Mandelson referred to Epstein as "my best pal," leading Prime Minister Keir Starmer to dismiss him as ambassador. This latest scandal compounds a history of political turbulence: he resigned twice from Blair's cabinet over separate scandals involving a home loan and a passport application for an Indian billionaire, though he was later cleared of wrongdoing in the latter.
The Epstein revelations continue to send shockwaves through elite circles on both sides of the Atlantic. Separately, Prime Minister Starmer stated on Saturday that Britain's Duke of York, Prince Andrew, should testify before a U.S. congressional committee regarding his own connections to Epstein.
Mandelson, who also served as the European Union's Trade Commissioner, is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords, Britain's upper parliamentary chamber.
Reaction & Analysis
David Chen, Political Analyst at The Westminster Institute: "Mandelson's resignation is less about legal guilt and more about political hygiene for Starmer. It's a necessary, if symbolic, move to distance the 'new' Labour from the controversies of its past elite. The Epstein association is toxic, and no modern party can afford that stain."
Sarah Finch, Labour Party Member from Manchester: "It's a sad day, but the right decision. We need to be focused on the future and the people we serve, not constantly managing fallout from the past. His contributions were historic, but the cloud this brings is a distraction we cannot afford."
Marcus Thorne, Commentator for 'The Radical Voice' blog: "This is pure damage control. Mandelson isn't stepping down out of nobility; he's being pushed before he's shoved. It exposes the rotten core of the political class—cosy with billionaires, entangled in sleaze. Starmer's Labour is just cutting loose a liability, not cleansing itself."
Eleanor Vance, Professor of Modern History, Cambridge: "This episode underscores the enduring and invasive legacy of the Epstein case. It's no longer just a U.S. story; it's a tool for re-examining power networks globally. Mandelson's career, with its dizzying highs and scandalous lows, is a perfect lens through which to view the blurred lines between politics, money, and influence over the last 30 years."