Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Peter Mandelson

Public opinion and media debates around Peter Mandelson—discover key moments of controversy.

Peter Mandelson is a British former Labour Party politician, lobbyist and diplomat. He served as the Member of Parliament for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004 and held multiple cabinet positions under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including Minister without portfolio, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Business Secretary and First Secretary of State. According to the user prompt, he was the British Ambassador to the United States in 2025 under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1987: News of the World attempts to out Mandelson as gay

In 1987, the News of the World attempted to out Peter Mandelson as gay. Mandelson did not respond.

October 1996: Bought Home with Loan from Robinson

In October 1996, Mandelson bought a home in Notting Hill partly with an interest-free loan from Geoffrey Robinson.

1996: Bought a home with a loan from Geoffrey Robinson

In 1996, Mandelson bought a home partly with an interest-free loan from Geoffrey Robinson, a Cabinet colleague.

July 1998: Became Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

In July 1998, Mandelson became Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and was responsible for the Department of Trade and Industry's investigation into Robert Maxwell's embezzlement of pension funds, but had failed to recuse himself of the position due to conflict of interests.

December 1998: Resignation from Cabinet

In December 1998, Mandelson resigned from the Cabinet after failing to declare a loan from Geoffrey Robinson.

1998: Matthew Parris outs Mandelson on BBC Newsnight

In 1998, Matthew Parris outed Peter Mandelson on the BBC programme Newsnight, leading to press harassment of his partner. The Daily Express took unauthorized photos of his partner at his languages course. An internal BBC memo prohibited further broadcasts about Mandelson's private life.

January 2001: Second Resignation from Government

In January 2001, Mandelson resigned from the government following accusations of influencing a passport application.

2003: Jeffrey Epstein payments

Between 2003 and 2004, Jeffrey Epstein made payments totaling approximately £55,000 to Peter Mandelson or his partner, and also covered educational fees for Reinaldo Avila da Silva.

2004: Jeffrey Epstein payments

Between 2003 and 2004, Jeffrey Epstein made payments totaling approximately £55,000 to Peter Mandelson or his partner, and also covered educational fees for Reinaldo Avila da Silva.

2004: Second Home Allowance Claim

In 2004, Mandelson billed the taxpayer for work on his constituency home in Hartlepool.

August 2008: Holiday on Deripaska's yacht

In August 2008, Peter Mandelson holidayed on Oleg Deripaska's yacht at Taverna Agni on the Greek island of Corfu.

October 2008: Meeting with Rothschild and Deripaska

In October 2008, Peter Mandelson met Nathaniel Rothschild and Oleg Deripaska on a yacht near Corfu, leading to speculation about a conflict of interest.

October 2008: Criticism over Contacts with Oleg Deripaska

In October 2008, news surfaced that Peter Mandelson had maintained private contact with Oleg Deripaska, sparking criticism given Mandelson's role as EU Trade Commissioner and decisions impacting Deripaska's company. William Hague called for transparency, while Gordon Brown defended Mandelson.

2008: Epstein's conviction

In 2008, Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of sex offenses, after which Mandelson continued his friendship with Epstein.

2008: Market sensitive information surrounding the 2008 financial crisis

In 2008, Market sensitive information surrounding the 2008 financial crisis and official activities thereafter to stabilise the economy were leaked.

2008: Shared government information with Epstein

In 2008, Peter Mandelson shared sensitive UK government information with Jeffrey Epstein, including early notice of a €500 billion EU bank bailout and lobbying efforts regarding a proposed 50% "super tax" on bankers' bonuses.

2008: Support for Epstein After Conviction

In 2008, Peter Mandelson wrote emails stating he "thought the world of him" and encouraged him to "fight for early release" from his 18‑month sentence, after Epstein's conviction.

March 2009: Green Custard Incident

On 6 March 2009, Peter Mandelson was approached by environmental protester Leila Deen, who threw a cup of green custard in his face in protest over his support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

June 2009: Mandelson allegedly leaked confidential document to Epstein

On 13 June 2009, Peter Mandelson allegedly leaked to Jeffrey Epstein a high-level Downing Street document outlining £20 billion of asset sales and Labour's tax policy plans. The memo had been written on 13 June 2009 by Nick Butler, a special advisor to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

August 2009: Lobbying for Internet Disconnection

In August 2009, Peter Mandelson was reported to have ordered "technical measures" such as internet disconnection to be included in the draft of the Digital Economy Act 2010 after lobbying from the music and film industry. He also reportedly met with David Geffen on Corfu.

October 2009: Epstein lobbied Mandelson to support DP World project

In October 2009, Jeffrey Epstein reportedly shared Peter Mandelson's personal email address with UAE's DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and advised him on lobbying the UK government for support regarding the £1.8 billion London Gateway port project. Epstein told Mandelson to "be nice to Sultan".

December 2009: Mandelson suggested JPMorgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon should threaten Chancellor

In December 2009, an email from Peter Mandelson suggested that JPMorgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon should "mildly threaten" the then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling over a bankers' bonus tax.

2009: Allegedly passed sensitive government information to Epstein

In 2009, Peter Mandelson allegedly passed sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein.

2009: Expenses Scandal Questions

In 2009, The Daily Telegraph raised questions about the timing of Mandelson's second home allowance claim.

March 2010: Mandelson lobbied US government for Epstein and Staley

In March 2010, Peter Mandelson allegedly lobbied the US government to weaken proposed restrictions on US bank trading activities on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein and Jes Staley.

March 2010: Mandelson allegedly forwarded confidential minutes to Epstein

On 31 March 2010, Peter Mandelson allegedly forwarded confidential minutes of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, and the Director of the US National Economic Council, Larry Summers, to Jeffrey Epstein just five minutes after receiving them. The minutes discussed new banking regulation and taxation.

April 2010: Lobbying for Mining Investment Vehicle

In April 2010, documents appeared to show that Mandelson lobbied JPMorgan Chase, while Business Secretary, to underwrite the floatation of a £700m mining investment vehicle launched by his friend Nat Rothschild.

April 2010: Mandelson forwarded minutes of meeting with Larry Summers

On 1 April 2010, Peter Mandelson met with Larry Summers, and forwarded the minutes of his meeting two minutes after he received them.

May 2010: Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of EU bailout

On 9 May 2010, Peter Mandelson allegedly gave Jeffrey Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout from the EU to save the Euro. On 10 May 2010, Mandelson emailed Epstein regarding Gordon Brown's resignation and appeared to reveal the existence of a secret tunnel between 10 Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence.

2010: Allegedly passed sensitive government information to Epstein

In 2010, Peter Mandelson allegedly passed sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein.

2010: Sought Epstein's assistance with a banking deal

While serving as a UK Cabinet minister in 2010, Peter Mandelson reportedly sought Epstein's assistance with a banking deal.

August 2011: FOI Request Reveals Pre-Consultation Decision

In August 2011, a Freedom of Information request showed that Mandelson had decided to approve the inclusion of technical measures, such as the disconnection of internet access, at least two months before public consultation had finished, showing little interest in the consultation.

May 2012: Advising Asia Pulp & Paper

In May 2012, Mandelson confirmed that he was advising Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) in selling timber products to Europe. APP was accused of illegal logging in Indonesia.

April 2014: Ties to Russian Conglomerate Sistema

In April 2014, it was reported that Peter Mandelson had strong ties to the Russian conglomerate Sistema.

February 2017: Criticism of Corbyn's Leadership

In February 2017, Peter Mandelson said that Jeremy Corbyn had "no idea in the 21st century how to conduct himself as a leader" and that he worked to bring about the end of Corbyn's tenure.

2019: Association with Jeffrey Epstein revealed

In 2019, Peter Mandelson's association with the convicted child sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.

2021: Vote Against Xinjiang Amendment

In 2021, Mandelson was the only Labour peer to vote against an amendment denouncing genocide in Xinjiang.

December 2024: Trump Campaign Adviser's Criticism

In December 2024, a Trump campaign adviser publicly referred to Peter Mandelson as an "absolute moron".

2024: Dismissal After Email Revelations

After email revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and after initially expressing full confidence in him, in late 2024 Starmer dismissed Mandelson, describing the emails as "reprehensible".

September 2025: Scandal Arises Concerning Association with Jeffrey Epstein

In September 2025, a scandal arose concerning Mandelson's association with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to his dismissal as ambassador.

September 2025: Dismissal as British Ambassador

In September 2025, controversy regarding Peter Mandelson's association with Jeffrey Epstein resulted in his dismissal as British Ambassador to the United States.

September 2025: Manchester Metropolitan University rescinds Mandelson's honorary doctorate

In September 2025, following the Epstein revelations, Manchester Metropolitan University rescinded Peter Mandelson's honorary doctorate and commemorative medal.

September 2025: Mandelson stripped of High Steward of Hull role

In September 2025, following the Epstein revelations, Peter Mandelson was stripped of the role of High Steward of Hull.

November 2025: Mandelson resigns from St Catherine's College

In November 2025, following the Epstein revelations, Peter Mandelson resigned from St Catherine's College.

2025: Dismissal as Ambassador

In 2025, Mandelson was dismissed as ambassador.

January 2026: Mandelson denies knowledge of Epstein's crimes in BBC interview

In January 2026, during a BBC interview, Peter Mandelson claimed to have never witnessed any illicit activity at Jeffrey Epstein's properties and denied any knowledge of Epstein's sexual offenses. He expressed sympathy for the victims but declined to apologize, asserting that he was unaware of the abuse and not complicit. Later in January 2026, documents revealed that Mandelson and his partner received at least $75,000 from Epstein.

February 2026: Mandelson resigns from Labour Party due to Epstein links

In February 2026, Peter Mandelson resigned his membership from the Labour Party due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

February 2026: Reports of Payments from Epstein and Criminal Investigation

In February 2026, reports surfaced that Mandelson received payments from Epstein and allegedly passed sensitive government information. He resigned from the Labour Party and the House of Lords, and a criminal investigation began, he was arrested.

February 2026: Resignation Amid Scrutiny and Criminal Investigation

In early February 2026, Amid growing public and political scrutiny, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from the House of Lords, following which he was arrested after a criminal investigation into potential misconduct in public office was started.

February 2026: Mandelson reported to police and steps down from House of Lords

On 2 February 2026, Reform UK and the Scottish National Party reported Peter Mandelson to the Metropolitan Police, calling for an investigation into the leaking of confidential files. On 3 February 2026, the Cabinet Office referred material to the police. On the same day he stepped down as a peer from the House of Lords, and the Metropolitan Police began a criminal investigation. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, CEO of Global Counsel, resigned on 6 February 2026.