• Peter Mandelson was sacked as UK ambassador to the US following revelations of extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• The dismissal followed the emergence of emails indicating that Mandelson had relationships with Epstein unknown during his appointment.
• Mandelson admitted to regretting his connection to Epstein and expressed deep sympathy for his victims.
• His termination comes just ahead of a state visit by US President Donald Trump, raising questions about UK-US diplomatic relations.
• Opposition parties criticize Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his handling of the situation.

Peter Mandelson, the UK ambassador to the United States, was fired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer after new emails revealed the extent of his connection to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision to dismiss Mandelson follows the emergence of correspondence indicating that the nature of their relationship was more significant than previously disclosed, with Mandelson referring to Epstein as "my best pal" in a birthday album from 2003, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

In a statement from the Foreign Office, it was noted 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." The emails included suggestions from Mandelson that Epstein's first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged, which had not been disclosed during the vetting process for his ambassadorship, as reported by Newsweek and India Times.

Mandelson expressed deep regret over his prior ties to Epstein, stating, "I feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein twenty years ago and the plight of his victims," according to BBC. His actions leading up to the dismissal have sparked significant backlash, particularly from opposition leaders like Kemi Badenoch, who criticized Starmer's leadership for initially supporting Mandelson before the revelations came to light, as seen in reports from Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

The timing of Mandelson’s sacking is particularly challenging for Prime Minister Starmer as it comes just days ahead of a state visit from US President Donald Trump. Mandelson was expected to play a crucial role in the visit, raising further questions concerning the UK's diplomatic relations under current political circumstances, as pointed out by South China Morning Post and NPR.