Peter Mandelson sacked as US Ambassador in yet another major blow to Keir Starmer

Peter Mandelson has been sacked as Britain's ambassador in Washington, in yet another devastating blow for Keir Starmer's authority. After the Prime Minister spent PMQs yesterday publicly defending Lord Mandelson, this morning the Foreign Office confirmed he has been removed from the top diplomatic role "with immediate effect".

A spokesman said: "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 emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. In particular Peter Mandelson's suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein's first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information."

"In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein's crimes he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect."

Responding to the breaking news in the chamber, top Tory Neil O'Brien blasted the scandal as "yet another extraordinary error of judgment by this weak Prime Minister."

"This raises massive questions. It is not just that Peter Mandelson said that Epstein was his 'best pal' and that he 'loved him'; it wasn't just that he brokered a deal for him while he was business secretary; we now know he was working for Epstein's early release after he was convicted.

"The simple question is this: is the minister now saying that the Prime Minister did not know about any of this at the point he was appointed?"

The Tories are demanding that the government now publish all documents relating to Peter Mandelson's vetting.

Labour MPs also joined the chorus of outrage, with former frontbencher Andy McDonald taking aim at the appointment process and demanding an inquiry into why the process didn't pick up the issues with Lord Mandelson's relationship with the renowned paedophile.

Liverpool MP Kim Johnson added: "I'm really pleased he's been sacked, but I'd like to know what due diligence was taken prior to his appointment when everybody knew about his relationship with Epstein."

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty insisted that the government was not aware of Lord Mandelson's correspondence suggesting Epstein's first conviction was wrongful, which was brought to light by the media last night.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the Lord Mandelson scandal showed that Sir Keir had failed "yet another key test of leadership".

"He gave his full backing to a man unfit for office. This matters to you because the Prime Minister has been distracted from the serious national security and economic challenges this country is facing.

"This is a weak Prime Minister, who doesn't have the courage to do the right thing at the right time."

Lord Mandelson's departure now throws next week's State Visit by President Trump into disarray, as well as putting pressure on the US President, who is facing major pressure in Washington over his own relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.