UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired Peter Mandelson, the UK's ambassador to the US, after his correspondence with convicted s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein was released earlier this week. On September 8, 2025, the United States' House Oversight Committee released Epstein's 238-page "birthday book," curated in 2003 by his then-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell for his 50th birthday.The book included letters and messages from Epstein's friends for the late financier's birthday, including a 10-page letter allegedly penned by Peter Mandelson, who was appointed as the US ambassador in December 2024. In the letter, Mandelson had allegedly called Epstein his "best pal" who "parachuted" into his life.Speaking to The Sun on September 10, Peter Mandelson stated that the messages were "very embarrassing to see and read." Appearing on the Harry Cole Saves the West podcast, he added that he had believed that Epstein, whom he described as a “charismatic criminal liar,” was innocent at the time.“I regret very much that I fell for his lies. I fell and accepted assurances that he had given me about his indictment, his original criminal case in Florida,” Mandelson said in the podcast.According to CNN, Starmer defended Mandelson in front of the parliament after the "birthday book" became public, adding that he had “full confidence" in the former ambassador.On September 10, Bloomberg published several emails allegedly exchanged between Mandelson and Epstein. In one alleged email, the former reportedly extended support to Epstein despite his 2008 Florida conviction on two state prostitution charges and encouraged him to “fight for early release.”Chris Rose @ArchRose90LINKA leaked email in 2008 from Mandelson to Epstein:“You have to be incredibly resilient, fight for early release…The whole thing has been years of torture…show the world how big a person you are.”Your friends stay with you and love you.”He’s finished and should be sacked.Following this, Starmer announced his decision to fire Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. Britain's Foreign Office also released a statement about Mandelson's dismissal. As per the statement, his "suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information.”“In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect,” the statement added.Mario Nawfal @MarioNawfalLINK🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK AMBASSADOR TO U.S. FIRED OVER EPSTEIN TIESPeter Mandelson has been removed as UK ambassador to the U.S. after emails revealed he urged Jeffrey Epstein to challenge his 2008 conviction for soliciting a child.In one message, Mandelson called Epstein “my best pal” and told him to “fight for early release” from jail.The Foreign Office says the full extent of his relationship with Epstein wasn’t disclosed when he was appointed.Starmer backed him just yesterday. Today, he’s gone.Exploring Peter Mandelson's messages to Jeffrey Epstein in the "birthday book"According to ITVX, Peter Mandelson's letter to Jeffrey Epstein in his "birthday book" was 10 pages long, with each message bearing a photo attachment. The first message described Mandelson's first time meeting Epstein, whom he called "an intelligent, sharp-witted man." The message also had a photo of a yellow parachute floating among clouds."Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call 'mysterious' parachuted into my life..." the message read.The next message, which included a photo of a shirtless man (presumed to be Peter Mandelson), spoke about the former ambassador's supposed wait for Epstein, saying:"You would spend many hours just waiting for him to turn up."In the third message, Mandelson allegedly wrote about finding himself alone just when he was "getting used to" having Epstein in his life. The message was accompanied by a photo of a man in a boat in the middle of a lake."And often, no sooner were you getting used to having him around, you would suddenly be alone... again," the message stated.Peter Mandelson's next message made note of Epstein's "interesting" friends. The photo was of Mandelson next to two people, whose faces were obscured."Leaving you with some 'interesting' friends to entertain instead..." the message read.Message five included a photo of two dogs and a man on the patio of a house. The message stated that Epstein left dogs for company despite his apparent dislike for the animals."Or just some dogs to keep you company (he wasn't always so keen on them)," Mandelson's message read.Peter Mandelson's next message seemed similar to the first one, referring to a parachute. The accompanying photo showed a yellow parachute in the sky, akin to the first image."But then he would parachute back in," Mandelson wrote.The next message included a picture of what appeared to be a label of a single malt Irish whiskey called 'The Tyrconnell.'"Very occasionally, taking you by surprise in some far off places," the message read.Peter Mandelson's eighth message was about Epstein's "glorious homes," and the accompanying photo showcased a mansion on an island. The message read:"Or in one of his glorious homes he likes to share with his friends (yum yum)."The penultimate message saw Mandelson describe Epstein as his "best pal" no matter where he was. This included a photo of Mandelson in a white robe, sharing a laugh with a man presumed to be Epstein."But, wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal," Mandelson wrote.In the final message, Peter Mandelson reportedly wished Epstein a happy birthday. The accompanying photo shows Mandelson with another man on a yellow speedboat in open waters."Happy Birthday Jeffrey, we love you!!" Mandelson wrote.Peter Mandelson is not the only notable figure to face controversy for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein following the release of the latter's "birthday book." Donald Trump's connection to Epstein came under scrutiny after a letter bearing his signature was found to be part of the book.Donald Trump and Peter Mandelson at the Oval Office in May 2025 (Image via Getty)According to CNN, the letter contained an apparent conversation between Trump and Epstein, placed inside the silhouette of a female body, and a cursive "Donald" signature placed at the figure's lower region. Trump's administration has denied that the signature on the letter belongs to the president.