Peter Mandelson's Time In Washington Appears To Be Coming To An End. That's A Disaster For Keir Starmer

President Donald Trump, listening to Britian's ambassador to the Peter Mandelson, right, delivering remarks on a trade deal between U.S. and U.K. in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Peter Mandelson appears to be fighting a losing battle to hold onto his job as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.The Labour peer was appointed to the role exactly seven months ago, but few at Westminster believe he will still be in post this time next week.Fresh revelations about Lord Mandelson’s relationship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have piled pressure on Keir Starmer – the man who appointed him – to act.An alleged “birthday book” released earlier this week by the House Oversight Committee in America contained a message to from Mandelson in which he described Epstein as his “best pal”.The Sun reported on Wednesday evening that Mandelson told Epstein “your friends stay with you and love you” even as he was facing child underage sex charges.In an interview with the same publication, the ambassador said he regretted his long association with the billionaire financier, and admitted that further “embarrassing” revelations about their friendship would emerge.“I can’t rewrite history,” he said. “What I can do is express my profound sympathy for those who have been trafficked by him.”Deploying all the PR skills he honed as Tony Blair’s spin doctor, Mandelson was trying to get ahead of the story, laying out his defence in an attempt to shield himself from the inevitable criticism coming his way. It is unlikely to succeed, however.As more revelations about his interactions with Epstein emerge, the pressure on the prime minister to sack him will only intensify.Further complicating the situation is the fact that Donald Trump, under fire in America over his own dealings with Epstein, is in town next week for his second state visit to the UK.Starmer may feel he needs to dump Mandelson before then to prevent questions over his future dominating proceedings.Ironically, however, Trump’s visit could help to keep him in post, at least until the president returns to the States.That’s because sacking him would put the PM at odds with Trump, who insists his own links to Epstein are a Democratic hoax and in no way impact on his standing as president.Either way, the controversy is another massive headache for Starmer just days after he was forced to bring forward a cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Angela Rayner.It also raises yet more questions about the PM’s judgement. He appointed Mandelson in the full knowledge of his links to Epstein, and despite warnings that wherever he goes, trouble is rarely far away.One Senior Labour figure told HuffPost UK: “There’s a risk this morphs into another full blown political crisis for the PM.”At prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, the PM told Tory leader Kemi Badenoch he still had “confidence” in Mandelson. She said this evening: “This is a weak prime minister, leading a government mired in scandal. The public deserves better. Peter Mandelson needs to be fired now.”She may not have to wait long to get her wish.Related...Peter Mandelson Fighting For Survival Over Friendship With Paedophile Jeffrey EpsteinKeir Starmer Backs Peter Mandelson Despite Him Calling Jeffrey Epstein His 'Best Pal'New US Ambassador Peter Mandelson Tells Reporter To 'F*** Off' When Pressed Over Epstein Links

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