Former UK minister Peter Mandelson quits Labour after new Epstein claims surface

Former British minister Peter Mandelson has announced plans to quit the Labour Party after fresh Epstein-related documents surfaced and sent shock waves across the world.

The former US ambassador revealed the reason behind his resignation decision as he does not want to cause “further embarrassment” by his close associates to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to the latest slew of documents released by the Department of Justice, Lord Mandelson received around $75000 money from Epstein in three separate $25000 transactions in 2003 and 2004.

Last year, Mandelson also fell from grace as he was sacked as US ambassador over his past links to disgraced Epstein.

In his letter to Labour’s general secretary, the former UK minister said, “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this.”

As reported by the BBC, Mandelson added, the allegations related to hefty transactions made by Epstein were false and need to be investigated.

"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 read.

Moreover, in the letter Mandelson also offered an apology to the affected women and girls whose voices had been suppressed and should have been heard long before now.

“I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the Labour Party and in taking my decision, I believe I am acting in its best interests,” he added.

Kemi Badenoch, a conservative leader, urged the UK PM Keir Starmer to launch an investigation into his close association with Epstein. Mandelson contributed to the Labour Party’s electrical success during PM Tony Blair’s stint in the 1990s.

Besides Lord Mandelson, the recent documents also mentioned allegations related to US President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk, and Bill Gates.