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A letter contained within an alleged “birthday book” released by U.S. lawmakers indicates that Lord Mandelson referred to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, as his “best pal.”
In the message, penned for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, Lord Mandelson, currently the UK’s ambassador to the US, described Epstein as an “intelligent, sharp-witted man” who “parachuted” into his life.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported on the existence of this letter in July, publishing details of the alleged birthday note.
A spokesperson for Lord Mandelson has stated to the BBC that he “has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein”.
In a press briefing, a Downing Street representative affirmed that the Prime Minister retains confidence in Lord Mandelson, citing his “key part” in fortifying trade and investment ties with the U.S., thereby securing jobs in the UK.
Congressional Democrats released the “birthday book” copies after the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the documents last month.
The released documents also include a note featuring a drawing of a woman’s body, purportedly signed by former US President Donald Trump. The White House has since disputed the document’s authenticity, stating the president “did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.”
The “birthday book” was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and accomplice, who was convicted in 2021 for conspiracy to sex traffic underage girls. The book predates public allegations of Epstein’s sexual abuse, which surfaced in 2006.
Responding to inquiries from the BBC, Lord Mandelson’s spokesperson stated that his association with Epstein “has been a matter of public record for some time”.
The spokesperson also referred to prior remarks made to the Financial Times, where he admitted, “I regret ever meeting him or being introduced to him by his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell.”
When questioned about whether the Prime Minister was aware of the nature of the ambassador’s relationship with Epstein, the spokesperson indicated that Lord Mandelson had addressed the issue extensively and that his “comments have been a matter of public record for some time”.
They further stated the government’s focus on “building a relationship with the United States” and expressed anticipation for President Trump’s upcoming state visit.
The BBC has also reached out to the Foreign Office for comment.
A 2019 internal JP Morgan report, submitted to a New York court in 2023, noted that Epstein maintained a “particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government”.
The former Labour cabinet minister’s contribution to the “birthday book” consisted of a series of brief messages, each accompanied by a photograph, spanning ten pages.
“Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call ‘mysterious’ parachuted into my life,” he wrote, alongside an image of a yellow parachute in flight.
“You would spend many hours just waiting for him to turn up,” he added, accompanying the text with a picture that appeared to show Lord Mandelson looking out onto a garden from a balcony.
“And often, no sooner were you getting used to having him around, you would suddenly be alone… again,” was written above a photo of a lone figure canoeing in the sea under a setting sun.
“Leaving you with some ‘interesting’ friends to entertain instead,” he continued on the subsequent page, alongside a photo of Lord Mandelson arranging a dining table with two women whose faces have been obscured.
Lord Mandelson further noted that Epstein was known for “taking you by surprise… in one of his glorious homes he likes to share with his friends (yum yum)”, accompanied a single malt whisky label and scenic image of a tropical island.
On the following page, beside a photo of the two men chatting on a patio, he wrote: “But whenever he is in the world, he remains my best pal!”
“Happy Birthday, Jeffrey. We love you!!” Lord Mandelson concluded his entry with.
Alongside the “birthday book,” U.S. lawmakers also released a trove of Epstein’s documents, including his personal address book and will.
Following the Wall Street Journal’s initial report on the “birthday book”, former President Trump filed a lawsuit against the newspaper’s journalists, publisher, and executives, including News Corp owner Rupert Murdoch, seeking $10 billion (£7.4 billion) in damages.
Epstein was initially indicted in 2006 in Florida on state felony charges of solicitation of prostitution. He died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.
A US congressional panel has released a redacted copy of an alleged “birthday book” given to Epstein.
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The message purportedly written by Trump is inside a 238-page book released by a House committee.
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