British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson, the UK ambassador to the United States, due to his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was announced in the House of Commons on Thursday by Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty.

Doughty stated that the dismissal followed the release of emails revealing the extent of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein. "In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador," the Foreign Office said in a statement. The statement emphasized that the nature of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein was significantly more extensive than what was known at the time of his appointment.

Mandelson, a prominent Labour politician and former advisor to Tony Blair, faced scrutiny after a birthday album for Epstein was made public. This album included a handwritten note from Mandelson referring to Epstein as "my best pal." Further emails showed Mandelson advising Epstein to "fight for early release" shortly before Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.

The Foreign Office noted that Mandelson's suggestion that Epstein's first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged constituted "new information." In response to the controversy, Mandelson expressed regret for his association with Epstein, stating he had maintained the relationship "for far longer than I should have done."

Starmer had previously defended Mandelson amid growing calls for his dismissal, but the recent revelations prompted a change in stance. The situation has added pressure on Starmer's leadership as he navigates the fallout from this high-profile dismissal.