UK Minister Says Peter Mandelson Should Testify Before US Congress Over Epstein Links
Housing Secretary urges former UK ambassador to share information amid mounting scrutiny of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
A senior UK government minister has called for Lord Peter Mandelson to give evidence before the United States Congress about his connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, as newly released documents shed fresh light on the nature of their relationship.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said Mandelson has a ‘‘moral obligation’’ to testify and disclose what he knew, particularly in light of bank statements and emails from the US Department of Justice files that appear to show Epstein sent three payments of $25,000 referencing Mandelson to accounts linked to him and his partner.
The calls for testimony intensified after the Department of Justice released millions of pages of records related to Epstein, prompting heightened scrutiny of links between the disgraced financier and a range of high-profile figures.
Reed told broadcasters that anyone with relevant evidence should come forward so that Epstein’s victims can pursue justice, naming Mandelson alongside other individuals.
He declined, however, to comment on whether Mandelson should be stripped of his peerage pending further clarification of the allegations.
Mandelson, who was dismissed as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States in 2025 amid the broader Epstein controversy, has publicly acknowledged that he was wrong to maintain an association with Epstein following the financier’s conviction and has apologised unequivocally to Epstein’s victims.
In response to inquiries about the payments, he said he had ‘‘no record and no recollection’’ of receiving the sums and questioned the authenticity of the documents.
The dispute has sparked political debate in Westminster, with some opposition members urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to demonstrate ‘‘moral leadership’’ by taking firm action, including preventing Mandelson’s return to the House of Lords or expelling him from the Labour Party.
Labour officials have said all complaints will be investigated according to party rules.
The latest revelations add to the sustained controversy surrounding Mandelson’s historical relationship with Epstein and raise further questions about transparency and accountability among public figures named in the Justice Department’s files.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said Mandelson has a ‘‘moral obligation’’ to testify and disclose what he knew, particularly in light of bank statements and emails from the US Department of Justice files that appear to show Epstein sent three payments of $25,000 referencing Mandelson to accounts linked to him and his partner.
The calls for testimony intensified after the Department of Justice released millions of pages of records related to Epstein, prompting heightened scrutiny of links between the disgraced financier and a range of high-profile figures.
Reed told broadcasters that anyone with relevant evidence should come forward so that Epstein’s victims can pursue justice, naming Mandelson alongside other individuals.
He declined, however, to comment on whether Mandelson should be stripped of his peerage pending further clarification of the allegations.
Mandelson, who was dismissed as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States in 2025 amid the broader Epstein controversy, has publicly acknowledged that he was wrong to maintain an association with Epstein following the financier’s conviction and has apologised unequivocally to Epstein’s victims.
In response to inquiries about the payments, he said he had ‘‘no record and no recollection’’ of receiving the sums and questioned the authenticity of the documents.
The dispute has sparked political debate in Westminster, with some opposition members urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to demonstrate ‘‘moral leadership’’ by taking firm action, including preventing Mandelson’s return to the House of Lords or expelling him from the Labour Party.
Labour officials have said all complaints will be investigated according to party rules.
The latest revelations add to the sustained controversy surrounding Mandelson’s historical relationship with Epstein and raise further questions about transparency and accountability among public figures named in the Justice Department’s files.
