Lord Mandelson Resigns Labour Membership Over Epstein Payment Revelations
Lord Peter Mandelson has announced his resignation from Labour Party membership to prevent causing what he describes as 'further embarrassment' to the political organisation. This dramatic decision follows significant disclosures regarding his historical association with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
The peer, who previously served as Labour MP for Hartlepool and was dismissed as US ambassador last year due to his Epstein connections, finds himself referenced within multiple bank statements released in the extensive collection of documents relating to the disgraced financier by US authorities.
Lord Mandelson has stated he cannot recall receiving payments totalling 75,000 US dollars from Epstein during his time as a Labour MP. However, documentation appears to show three separate transactions of 25,000 dollars each between May 2003 and June 2004.
- A payment on May 14, 2003, to the account of Reinaldo Avila da Silva, now Lord Mandelson's husband, with the designation 'BEN' appearing alongside Peter Mandelson's name
- Two subsequent payments in May and June 2004, one to an account in Lord Mandelson's name and another where he appears listed as recipient
Additional Revelations and Response
Further disclosures from the latest Epstein document release include undated photographs appearing to show Lord Mandelson standing in his underwear and a T-shirt beside a woman whose face has been obscured. The peer informed the BBC he 'cannot place the location or the woman and I cannot think what the circumstances were' regarding these images.
The documents also indicate that Mr da Silva received thousands of pounds from Epstein to cover fees enabling his attendance at the British School of Osteopathy.
In his statement to the Press Association, Lord Mandelson revealed he wrote to Labour Party general secretary Hollie Ridley on Sunday evening (February 1) to formally resign his membership. He emphasised that being referenced in the Epstein documents does not suggest any wrongdoing on his part.
Formal Statement and Apology
In his resignation letter, Lord Mandelson stated: 'I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this. Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.'
He continued: '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. I want to take this opportunity to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now.'
The former MP concluded by affirming his dedication to Labour values, stating: '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.'
Lord Mandelson has previously issued what he describes as an 'unequivocal apology' to Epstein's victims and maintains he has 'nothing more to add' regarding his connections to the disgraced financier. He informed the BBC he had no memory of receiving the payments and was uncertain about the authenticity of the documents in question.
