MAND DOWN

Peer sacked over Epstein saga

- BY SOPHIE HUSKISSON Political Correspondent

LORD Mandelson faced calls to be stripped of his peerage last night after he was sacked over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

The former UK ambassador to Washington was told to go after the Foreign Office said emails revealed he suggested the late US paedophile's conviction for sex crimes was wrong.

But Keir Starmer also came under pressure when it emerged the security services expressed concern about Lord Mandelson's appointment at the time but No10 went ahead anyway.

The peer, 71, last night reiterated his regret for staying close to the man he called his "best pal" in a birthday note after Epstein was convicted of sex offences involving children.

But Labour's Bassetlaw MP Jo White said: "He should pack his bags and go, and that means resigning as a member of the House of Lords. And if he doesn't take that route that means he will be bringing the Houses of Parliament into disrepute.

"Peter Mandelson knew fully the extent of his relationship with Epstein and he should never have gone for the role of ambassador to the US.

"He has put the Prime Minister in a very, very difficult position and in my view has misled him. He went for this role purely to pursue his own ego rather than the best interests of our country. My only wish is that he resigns from politics immediately."

Lord Mandelson was sacked less than 24 hours after emails revealed just how close he was to Epstein.